Return to Work After Lumbar Surgery for Radicular Pain: a Nationwide Survey of Spinal Surgeons' Practices and Perceptions
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Enrollment
- 54
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Reported practices regarding return to work advice and sick leave following lumbar surgery
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This national cross-sectional survey investigates the current practices and perceptions of Belgian spinal surgeons regarding return to work (RTW) after lumbar surgery for radicular pain. The study aims to (1) assess surgeons' advice on RTW and sick leave, (2) identify barriers and facilitators encountered when providing RTW guidance, and (3) explore how these factors relate to surgeon characteristics such as demographics, hospital setting, and professional experience. The results will inform clinical practice recommendations and support the development of targeted interventions to improve RTW guidance.
Detailed Description
Return to work (RTW) after lumbar surgery is shaped by a combination of medical, psychosocial, and system-level factors. Although clinical guidelines increasingly recognize RTW as an essential outcome, limited evidence exists on how surgeons address this issue in everyday practice and what challenges they encounter.
This national cross-sectional survey will be distributed to members of the Spine Society of Belgium (SSBe). It explores surgeons' demographics, current clinical practices regarding RTW advice and sick leave, communication strategies with patients, perceived professional roles and responsibilities, and barriers and facilitators in providing RTW guidance.
The findings will provide insights into current practices, highlight modifiable barriers, and support the development of evidence-based clinical recommendations and targeted interventions to optimize RTW guidance after lumbar surgery.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Observational
- Observational Model
- Other
- Time Perspective
- Cross Sectional
Eligibility Criteria
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Orthopaedic surgeons or neurosurgeons who perform lumbar surgery in Belgium.
- •Members or affiliates of the Spine Society of Belgium (SSBe), as survey distribution will occur through the SSBe member list.
- •Willing to participate in the survey, as evidenced by voluntary completion of the online questionnaire. Informed consent is implied after reading the participant information sheet.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Surgeons not performing lumbar surgery.
- •Surgeons not affiliated with SSBe.
Arms & Interventions
Belgian spinal surgeons
Belgian spinal surgeons who are members of the Spine Society of Belgium (SSBe). The survey will be distributed through the SSBe membership list.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Reported practices regarding return to work advice and sick leave following lumbar surgery
Time Frame: Through study completion, an average of 3 months (anticipated January 2026)
Measured using a custom-designed online questionnaire. Topics include timing of advice, recommended duration of sick leave, and content of return-to-work guidance. Results reported as frequencies and percentages.
Secondary Outcomes
- Reported barriers and facilitators to providing return to work guidance(Through study completion, an average of 3 months (anticipated January 2026))
- Surgeon demographics and practice characteristics(Through study completion, an average of 3 months (anticipated January 2026))
- Reported confidence and perceived responsibility in discussing return to work(Through study completion, an average of 3 months (anticipated January 2026))