Table 6

NHS costs (£, mean (SD)) derived from computer records at participating general practices at 3 months follow-up

Usual care alone (n=26)Internet intervention plus usual care (n=28)Internet intervention plus physiotherapist support (n=25)All (excluding intervention costs) (n=79)
Intervention costs012.550.5
All NHS costs
 Primary care costs*96 (142)85 (114)108 (136)96 (130)
 Secondary care—A&E14 (42)11 (53)8 (39)
 Secondary care—O/P116 (279)48 (83)87 (106)83 (178)
 Secondary care—inpatient59 (299)129 (564)101 (391)97 (432)
 Secondary care—total175 (490)191 (586)198 (483)188 (517)
 Total costs271 (492)289 (650)357 (553)284 (564)
Back pain costs only
 Primary care costs—back pain only15 (40)30 (73)35 (75)26 (64)
 Secondary care—A&E11 (53)3 (30)
 Secondary care—O/P76 (251)25 (62)32 (69)44 (153)
 Secondary care—inpatient26 (132)24 (129)101 (391)49 (244)
 Secondary care—total102 (325)50 (158)143 (482)96 (340)
 Total costs—back pain only116 (327)92 (178)228 (535)123 (367)
  • *Primary care costs refer to GP consultations (at the surgery/home/phone); practice nurse consultations (at the surgery/home/phone); use of other person in surgery (mainly phlebotomist); any other primary care-related costs (walk in centre or phlebotomist) and costs of back pain relevant prescribing.