Professor Nadine Foster Director-Research & Education at UQ's Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service answered questions on trials of stratified care for Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Stratified care is a model of healthcare where patients are subgrouped according to specific characteristics and then each subgroup is matched to treatment.
Subgroups can be based on causal mechanisms, prognostic characteristics, treatment responsiveness or a combination.
To date, most stratified care trials in musculoskeletal pain have focused on low back pain and use prognostic subgrouping.