The standard of medical care "Low back pain (lower back)" has been approved in Ukraine. The document defines unified approaches to the diagnosis, treatment and further follow-up of patients with back pain at the primary and specialized levels of medical care, as well as criteria for further routing.
Methodological support and information provision for the development of the standard were carried out by specialists of the State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
What does the new standard define?
In accordance with the provisions of the new standard, medical care for patients with back pain is organized in stages, with priority given to the provision of primary medical care.
When assessing the patient's condition, it is recommended to take into account not only the physical manifestations of the disease, but also psychological and social factors, to avoid unjustified diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, and to timely determine the need for consultation with other specialists.
The new standard contains detailed explanations regarding the organization of such medical care, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic back pain. Particular attention is paid to indicators of the quality of medical care.
The update of the standard is driven by modern approaches to the management of patients with back pain. In more than 90% of cases, such pain is nonspecific in nature and does not require specialized or inpatient treatment, and most patients recover with timely primary care, maintenance of physical activity, and without unnecessary examinations or invasive interventions.
Treatment of patients with back pain is primarily provided by physicians delivering primary medical care. At the same time, it is important that physicians of various specialties be aware of the signs that may indicate a potentially serious disease or condition. This is necessary for early detection and timely referral of the patient to the appropriate specialist, involvement of a multidisciplinary team, or, if needed, emergency hospitalization. This approach also helps reduce the risk of the pain becoming chronic.
The full text of the Standard of Medical Care "Low back pain (lower part of the back)" is available in the List of Medical Technological Documents at the link https://www.dec.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/dn_1326_08092026_dod.pdf
