[Back XXXX outpatient clinic--preliminary experiences from Aust-Agder].

@entity1 @entity1643 @entity2649 @entity615 @entity158
BACKGROUND: Back @entity158 is a major health problem and the most important disorder associated with sickness absence. This report presents experiences from a @entity615 outpatient clinic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We collected demographic data, diagnoses on the referrals (ICPC) and in the outpatient clinic (ICD-9) and recommendations given to 206 @entity1 , referred 1 January to 30 April 1998. RESULTS: 41% were @entity1 (mean age 45), 59% @entity1 (mean age 44). Mean waiting time before appointment was 35 days compared to 49 days before the clinic was opened. 43% were prioritized for an appointment within two weeks; mean waiting time in this group was 16 days. 125 (63%) of 200 were referred with non-specific @entity1643 . Of these, 99 (79%) were given the same diagnosis in the clinic. 75 (37%) had a referral diagnosis of lumbar disk injury with radiation, of whom 46 (61%) were diagnosed with lumbar nuclear prolapse or @entity2649 in the clinic. INTERPRETATION: An outpatient clinic may be a useful way to organise the specialist health service system for @entity615 @entity1 .
