Dr. Krebs has obtained the Primary Spine Practitioner credentials through University of Pittsburgh

Over the course of the last 2 years, Dr. Douglas Krebs has successfully complete course work to obtain the post-graduate certification as a Primary Spine Practitioner through the University of Pittsburgh.

What is a Primary Spine Practitioner (PSP)?

Spine Care in the US has been mired in a crisis of rapidly rising costs with rapidly declining outcomes for patients. Recent research has found that the spine care that most patients receive is inefficient, ineffective, and extremely expensive. There is an urgent need for innovative solutions to this crisis. One such solution is the implementation of primary spine care - defined as first-line management, care coordination, and follow-up of patients with any spine-related disorder (SRD), under the direction of a certified Primary Spine Practitioner (PSP).
The PSP functions as a primary-contact provider for patients with SRDs. This involves taking responsibility for managing most patients without the need for special tests or specialist referrals. It also involves identifying the minority of patients who do require further diagnostic evaluations (X-ray, MRI, CT, EMG) or specialized interventions (injections, surgery). Further, the PSP serves as an inter-professional care coordinator, referring patients for the appropriate test or specialty service, and following up after these referrals to continually guide the patient toward resolution of the SRD. To perform this role, the PSP requires a very specific and refined skill set.
PSPs are ideally suited for managing patients in the primary care setting or functioning as the front-line practitioner in an interdisciplinary spine program, managing most patients without the need for referral, and coordinating the care of those who require other services. However, primary spine care can also be provided in the private practice setting. The PSP maximizes efficiency by ensuring that specialists and surgeons only see patients who are most appropriate for their skill set. This also maximizes clinical outcomes at minimal cost by ensuring that effective conservative management always remains at the front line and that patients have a consistent “go-to” professional who can monitor and facilitate their progress towards recovery.

More information can be found at https://www.psp.pitt.edu/

Dr. Krebs quoted by MensHealth.com

Prevent Back Pain while driving

Dr. Krebs was interviewed by MensHealth.com for ideas to prevent back pain while driving.

Read the full story: Menshealth.com

Recognition For Providing Quality Back Pain Care

DR. DOUGLAS KREBS RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR PROVIDING QUALITY BACK PAIN CARE

Back Pain Recognition Program focuses on high-value, patient-centered care.

WASHINGTON-National committee for quality assurance (NCQA) today announced that Dr. Douglas Krebs of Chicago has received Recognition from the Back Pain Recognition Program (BPRP) for providing superior care to his patient's suffering from low back pain.

The Back Pain Recognition program is designed to improve the quality care to the nearly 30 million Americans who experience low back pain, and by motivating other clinicians and chiropractors to document and improve the delivery of spinal care. To receive recognition, which is valid for two years, Dr. Douglas Krebs submitted data demonstrating performance that meets the Program's key measures. These measures include appropriate imaging for acute back pain and recommendation for exercise, among others.

Back pain is among the most common ailments in America. Each year, nearly 1 in 9 Americans experience pain severe enough to impair their usual daily activities. Treatment costs total approximately $91 billion a year and accounts for 25 percent of all workers' compensation claims.  The BPPR is the first independent program to systematically evaluate back pain care. NCQA developed the program's requirements from widely excepted medical evidence with significant input from back pain specialist, and health plan and employer representatives. BPPR-Recognized clinicians provide patients with the care that best meets their needs, restores health and mobility and avoids unnecessary treatment and procedures.

“Needless imaging and procedures provide no real benefit to patients who suffer from back pain,” said Margaret E. O'Kane, President, National Committee for Quality Assurance. "By earning recognition, Chicago Spine and Sports has demonstrated that they consistently provide proven, evidenced-based case to their patient's with low back pain.”

To find out if your physician has been recognized by the Back Pain Recognition Program or for further information, please visit www.NCQA.org\BPRP.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2010, NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies as a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes conditions and practices in key areas of performance.  NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Sets (HEDIS ®) is the most widely use performance measured tool in health care. NCQA is committed to providing healthcare quality information for consumers, purchasers, health care providers and researchers.

Dr. Krebs Obtains Certification in McKenzie Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy

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On December 5, 2010, Dr. Krebs of Chicago Spine + Sports successfully passed the credentialing exam for McKenzie Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy.  He is one of the first 65 doctors to complete the course work and pass this exam.  McKenzie Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) is a systematic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of spinal related conditions.  Research has shown the initial McKenzie assessment procedures to be as reliable as costly diagnostic imaging (i.e., x-rays, MRIs) to determine the source of the problem and quickly identify responders and non-responders.  Unique to the McKenzie Method is a comprehensive and logical step-by-step process to evaluate the patient's problem quickly. This mechanical examination can "classify" most patient conditions by the level of pain or limitation that results from certain movements or positions. A McKenzie assessment can eliminate the need for expensive and/or invasive procedures. McKenzie treatment prescribes a series of individualized exercises. The emphasis is on active patient involvement, which minimizes the number of visits to the clinic.

Ultimately, most patients can successfully treat themselves when provided the necessary knowledge and tools. For patients with more difficult mechanical problems a hands-on approach is needed. By learning how to self-treat the current problem, patients gain hands-on knowledge on how to minimize the risk of recurrence and to rapidly deal with recurrence if it occurs. The likelihood of problems persisting can more likely be prevented through self-maintenance.