Global Spine Care and Management Strategies

Spinal disorders are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, affecting individuals across all age groups and placing a heavy burden on healthcare systems. Contemporary approaches to spine care emphasise person-centred and people-centred frameworks that integrate biomedical, psychological and social dimensions of health. Globally applicable models seek to bridge gaps in access to specialist services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries and underserved communities. Central to these strategies are standardised classification systems, evidence-based care pathways and stepwise triage protocols that guide decision-making from initial assessment through to specialist referral. Interprofessional collaboration and scalable implementation plans are key to sustaining spine care programmes, while digital and telehealth solutions have emerged as vital adjuncts for patient education, self-management and remote monitoring. Together, these elements form a cohesive strategy for reducing the burden of spinal pain, deformity and neurological complications, and for promoting cost-effective, equitable care on a global scale.

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Global Spine Care and Management Strategies publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in global spine care and management strategies across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Biopsychosocial model: An integrated approach recognising that biological, psychological and social factors interact to influence health outcomes in spinal disorders.

Care pathway: A structured multidisciplinary plan outlining key stages and interventions in patient management to ensure consistent and efficient delivery of care.

Classification system: A standardised framework for categorising spine-related concerns by severity, symptom type and functional impact, facilitating clear communication and treatment decisions.

Telehealth: The use of digital communication technologies to deliver clinical services, patient education and remote monitoring when in-person consultation is impractical.

References

1. The Global Spine Care Initiative: model of care and implementation. European Spine Journal (2018).
2. The Global Spine Care Initiative: care pathway for people with spine-related concerns. European Spine Journal (2018).
3. The Global Spine Care Initiative: classification system for spine-related concerns. European Spine Journal (2018).
4. Distance Management of Spinal Disorders in the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: Evidence-based Patient and Clinician Guides from the Global Spine Care Initiative. (Preprint). JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (2021).