Assessing Resource Utilization Among Spine Patients: A Prospective Survey Analysis

Introduction: Post-operative discomfort and pain are frequently reported in spine surgery patients, but the most effective interventions to address these issues are unclear. Here, we examined sources of distress and explored patient perspectives on existing interventions and available support resources for patients with various spine pathologies.

Methods: Patients seen at a specialty spine clinic and academic cancer center for trauma, degeneration, or tumors of the spine were prospectively enrolled and consented in accordance with IRB protocols. Patients were classified as pre- or post-operative based on surgery date, and collected data included sociodemographic information, reported pain (1-10 Likert scale), barriers to care, and the likelihood of using various clinical resources (1-5 Likert scale). Data was presented as mean ± SD (degenerative vs. trauma vs. tumor) and the Kruskall-Wallis test for difference in means was used for cross-group comparisons.

Results: A total of 68 total patients were initially enrolled (pre-op: n = 44; post-op: n = 24). By indication, 48 patients were classified as tumor, 15 as degenerative, and 5 as trauma. On average, reported pain was highest in the degenerative group, followed by the trauma and tumor groups (4.8 ± 2.5 vs. 4.6 ± 1.8 vs. 3.6 ± 2.4, p = 0.161). Physical challenges were identified as the most significant in all three groups (3.6 ± 0.9 vs. 3.0 ± 1.4 vs. 2.9 ± 1.2). Of note, palliative care was the only resource reported to be significantly different in perceived value between groups (3.2 ± 2.1 vs. 1.9 ± 1.4 vs. 3.3 ± 1.7, p = 0.02).

Conclusion : This study identifies trends in barriers to care and resource utilization, as well as overall attitudes toward interventions offered to spine patients in an outpatient setting. While additional data is being collected, these findings highlight the differential value of palliative care across patients with different spine pathologies.