Back Skills Training Implementation (iBeST)
The Back Skills Training (BeST) Programme, a structured training programme delivered to patients with lower back pain, was evaluated in a large multicentre randomised controlled trial. The Back Skills Training Trial used a cognitive behavioural approach to target unhelpful beliefs about pain and activity, promoting leisure, physical and occupational activity. The trial showed that this approach was both clinically effective and cost effective in treating non-specific lower back pain.
To enable delivery of the BeST Programme for the trial, NHS staff received face-to-face training. Providing training in this way across the NHS would be costly and complex, therefore we have developed an online version of the BeST training to give greater access to this training throughout the NHS.
Work to develop the online training was supported by the NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) Oxford.
The BeST online training is now available via FutureLearn. The course runs over 6 weeks, taking approximately 2 hours per week. You can complete the course for free, or upgrade (£72) in order to gain unlimited access to the course content and receive a certificate of completion for Continuing Professional Development. This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society.
ACCESS THE BeST ONLINE TRAINING
Please visit FutureLearn for details of how to register and access the training.
The course is available from 25 February 2019
KEY DEtails
What? A simple online training course for GPs, nurses and physiotherapists to offer an evidence-based treatment designed to maximise long term improvement in physical activity and function.
Who? Patients who have had non-specific lower-back pain for longer than 6 weeks.
What is the evidence?
• BeST was found to be as effective as other interventions in the short term, but exceeded them in the longer term
• Significantly reduced pain and disability at 12 months and beyond
• Significantly improved patient satisfaction and quality of life
