Why is Primary Spine Care Needed?

The evidence in the literature states that back pain affects upwards of 30% of the population, with a lifetime prevalence of 50%-80%. With continued evidence of lack of musculoskeletal understanding in primary care medicine and a subsequent deficiency of training in spinal biomechanics, the question becomes which profession has the educational basis, training, and clinical competence to manage these cases? Recently published clinical guidelines from the American College of Physicians recommended nonpharmacologic treatment as the first-line approach to treating back pain.

What is a Primary Spine Care Provider?

The Primary Spine Care provider [PSC] is trained in diagnosing and managing all spinal-related conditions and focuses on mechanical spine pain. The PSC is also trained in basic and advanced imaging, electrodiagnostic interpretation, vascular diagnosis related to stroke, central motor, and sensory lesion diagnosis, and other co-morbidity analysis related to musculoskeletal conditions.

The PSC provider does not typically treat fractures, tumors or infection, but is trained in diagnosing those comorbidities. These doctors are front-line clinicians triaging and collaborating with specialists as needed with the training to manage neuro-biomechanical non-anatomical pathology independently.

Who Should Be Considered Primary Spine Care Providers?

The objective of the Primary Spine Care (PSC) Fellowship training is to equip doctors with advanced clinical skills necessary to establish accurate diagnoses, prognoses, and treatment plans for patients with spinal-related conditions.

This two-year Fellowship program is certified by Cleveland University–Kansas City, College of Chiropractic, a CCE-accredited institution, and taught by professors accredited in CCE accredited institutions, along with professors from ACCME accredited medical academia. Courses are offered in joint providership and approved through the State University of New York at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Continuing Medical Education, Office of Continuing Medical Education.

Given the complexity of spinal diagnosis and prognosis, it is considered a public health risk for non-doctors to serve as PSCs. Therefore, only licensed doctors are eligible for acceptance into the program.