Table 1 Performance objectives for physical therapist and practice quality managers

Overall guideline adherence

1. See the guideline as a valuable quality tool

2. Decide to make an effort to improve their adherence to the guidelines

3. Keep patient records that contain sufficient information to enable reflection on the quality of their work

Self regulation and goal setting

Set goals and make plans, using self-monitoring, self-judgement, self-reaction, self-evaluation and maintenance of procedure

4a. Improve work quality by means of self-regulation

4b. Regularly reflect on work content (self monitoring)

4c. Judge personal performance

4d. React on the basis of judgement

4e. Evaluate the effect of actions

4f. Maintain this procedure

Clinical reasoning diagnostics

5a. Correctly and completely assess the patients’ complaints in all the subsets of the ICF

5b. Categorize the patient correctly on the basis of episode duration, course and the presence of psychosocial variables (choose the correct patient profile)

5c. Choose adequate examination objectives and examination strategies

Clinical reasoning questionnaires

5d. Apply questionnaires

Clinical resoning treatment plan

6a. Choose applicable treatment objectives and treatment strategies

6b. Apply a hands off approach in the case of acute LBP with a normal course

6c. Apply a limited number (maximum 4) of treatment sessions in case of acute LBP with a normal course

6d. Provide adequate advice to the patient

6e. Formulate sound arguments when they diverge from the guideline recommendations

Psychosocial (ps) factors

7a. Assess psychosocial factors

7b. Integrate factors in the treatment-plan and decide about how to deal with these factors

7c. Address factors in the treatment of the patient with low back pain

Practice quality manager

Quality management

1. Decide to start a quality improvement project

2. Plan and make preparations for a quality improvement project

2.1 Provide the necessary materials and means for optimal quality of care

2.2 Involve experts, if applicable

2.3 Develop or maintain a practice culture of openness and mutual respect

3. Manage the quality improvement project

3.1 Bring the available materials to the attention of colleagues

3.2 Guard the open practice culture

3.3 Bring the possibility of cooperation with other disciplines to the attention of colleagues

3.4 Support colleagues in their deliberation/cooperation with other relevant disciplines

3.4 Assure the possibility for retraining

4. Evaluate the quality improvement project

5. Ensure care of continuation