What to Expect with your Rapid Access Clinics for Low Back Pain (RAC-LBP) Appointment
Why RAC-LBP (formerly ISAEC)?
You have been referred to the Rapid Assessment Clinics Low Back Pain (RAC-LBP) program by your family doctor or nurse practitioner for assessment of your low back and/or low back related leg pain to determine the next steps in your care.
There are 16 RAC-LBP hubs across Ontario to help you access high quality care close to home. An Advanced Practice Provider (APP), a physiotherapist / chiropractor with specialized training, will assess your symptoms in a timely manner and work with you to create a personalized care plan to help you better self-manage your pain and refer you for speciality assessment, if required. Patients typically receive one consultation-based low back pain assessment and limited 1-2 follow-up assessments. These assessments are provincially funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Watch the video below to learn more about the patient pathway in the RAC-LBP program
Video Credits:
Dr. Mark Kubert, DC. Practice Lead, Low Back RAC, Grand River Hospital
About the RAC-LBP program
The RAC-LBP program helps improve the quality, access and appropriateness of care for people with low back pain. Patients who meet the eligibility criteria as determined by their PCP can be referred into the RAC-LBP program.
It is designed to decrease the prevalence of unmanageable chronic low back pain, reduce unnecessary diagnostic imaging as well as unnecessary specialist referral.
Would you rather speak on the phone or get assessed via video?
Please inform your RAC-LBP provider and they will let you know if it can be done based on your clinical presentation.
A virtual care visit is very similar to an onsite assessment; however, the visit is through a secure audio-video platform using your smartphone, computer or tablet.
What Happens Next?
You will be contacted by an Advanced Practice Provider’s (APP’s) clinic to schedule your appointment. You can expect an appointment date in approximately four weeks.
Your thorough assessment will be scheduled with the nearest available clinician and will be approximately one hour long. It is recommended that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment to complete the necessary paperwork. Upon completion, you will then be assessed by an APP for approximately one hour.
Preparing for Your Appointment: What Do I Need to Do?
IMPORTANT. To optimize your time with your APP, we recommend that you download and complete the Patient Intake Form prior to your first appointment.
If you need to cancel your appointment, please contact your APP’s office 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment.
For all inquiries including directions, changes to appointment times, etc. please contact your APP’s office.
It is important that we understand your condition. If you are unable to clearly communicate your condition in English please bring a friend or family member who can translate on your behalf.