Rapid Access Clinics for Low Back Pain

Transcript for: Rapid Access Clinics for Low Back Pain

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Back pain can be a big deal. It can affect your ability to work, play, and live a happy life. Knowing how to deal with it can make all the difference.

That’s why the Rapid Access Clinics for Low Back Pain were created. They’re here to provide you with education about back pain, reduce wait times for assessment, and improve access to specialist care. Referral into the RAC Low Back program is like having a personalized team for your low back pain all working from the same file. Here’s how it works:

First, see your family doctor or nurse practitioner. If you meet the program criteria they will refer you to see a local Advanced Practice Provider, or APP, in your community.

Next, your APP will take you through a history and physical exam to figure out the nature of your back pain. You’ll leave that first visit with a better understanding of your condition, coupled with exercise prescription, and a follow up plan. As most back pain gets better on its own, this is as far as is needed for most people.

A small number of cases, however, may need further testing. These cases are referred on to the Practice Lead where it’s determined if more specialized care is needed: such as an X-ray or MRI, spinal injection therapy, or consultation with a spinal surgeon.

At each point along the way automatic chart updates keep everyone on your low back pain team in the know.

And while most visits are on-site, virtual assessments, either through video conference, or by phone, are available upon request.

Through the RAC Low Back program you can gain a better understanding of your back pain, learn what the best steps are to manage it, and know that there is a plan in place to keep you moving.

For more information on the RAC Low Back program, or to find out how your doctor or nurse practitioner can refer you, please go to lowbackrac.org

The Rapid Access Clinics for Low Back Pain (RAC Low Back) is a specialized program funded by The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to help Ontarians manage their low back pain and related symptoms. These clinic services are fully covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

The RAC Low Back model of care was originally piloted in Toronto, Hamilton, and Thunder Bay with a small group of referring doctors and nurse practitioners. In April of 2018, the model of care began expanding throughout the province as part of the Rapid Access Clinics for Low Back Pain implementation. Each region, including Waterloo-Wellington is rolling out this model of care and has set up the necessary infrastructure to both accept referrals and see patients.

Working with our local health integration network (LHIN) the Waterloo-Wellington RAC Low Back clinic for low back pain launched in November 2018 and is centred out of Grand River Hospital’s Freeport Campus. With direction from the Practice Lead, and chiropractor, Dr. Mark Kubert, this clinic works with 12 Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) - physiotherapists or chiropractors specially trained to assess low back pain - across the region to assess your low back condition in a timely way and work with you to create a personalized care plan to help you better manage your low back pain.

Referral into the RAC Low Back program can only be made through your family doctor or nurse practitioner.

Want to know if you’re eligible for this program? Click here [opens a new window]

Our team

Dr. Mark Kubert, Practice Lead
Karen McKiel – Administrative Assistant
Freeport clinic contact – 519-749-4300 ext. 7862

Surgeons

Dr. Gemah Moammer, spine surgeon
Dr. Chris Steyn, spine surgeon
Dr. Ahmed Quateen, neurosurgeon

Community Advanced Practice Providers

Kitchener

Dr. Craig Bauman
Dr. Greg Lusk
Dr. Jason Nyman
Dr. John Papa

Guelph

Dr. Edward Finoro
Dr. Paul Nolet

Cambridge

Dr. Amy Brown
Dr. Doug Cameron
Dr. Peter Emary

Wellington

Dr. Phil Lemire
Dr. Sean Lisk