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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07193758

Return to Work After Lumbar Surgery: a Nationwide Survey of Spinal Surgeons' Practices

This national cross-sectional survey investigates the current practices and perceptions of Belgian spinal surgeons regarding return to work (RTW) after lumbar surgery for radicular pain. The study aims to (1) assess surgeons' advice on RTW and sick leave, (2) identify barriers and facilitators encountered when providing RTW guidance, and (3) explore how these factors relate to surgeon characteristics such as demographics, hospital setting, and professional experience. The results will inform clinical practice recommendations and support the development of targeted interventions to improve RTW guidance.

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Key information

Conditions

Radicular Pain Disc Herniation With Radiculopathy Fusion of Spine, Lumbar Region Lumbar Decompression Lumbar Surgery Radicular Pain Related to Lumbosacral Disc Disease

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

UZ Leuven

Leuven, 3000, Belgium

About this study

Return to work (RTW) after lumbar surgery is shaped by a combination of medical, psychosocial, and system-level factors. Although clinical guidelines increasingly recognize RTW as an essential outcome, limited evidence exists on how surgeons address this issue in everyday practice and what challenges they encounter.

This national cross-sectional survey will be distributed to members of the Spine Society of Belgium (SSBe). It explores surgeons' demographics, current clinical practices regarding RTW advice and sick leave, communication strategies with patients, perceived professional roles and responsibilities, and barriers and facilitators in providing RTW guidance.

The findings will provide insights into current practices, highlight modifiable barriers, and support the development of evidence-based clinical recommendations and targeted interventions to optimize RTW guidance after lumbar surgery.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Orthopaedic surgeons or neurosurgeons who perform lumbar surgery in Belgium.
  • Members or affiliates of the Spine Society of Belgium (SSBe), as survey distribution will occur through the SSBe member list.
  • Willing to participate in the survey, as evidenced by voluntary completion of the online questionnaire. Informed consent is implied after reading the participant information sheet.

Exclusion criteria

  • Surgeons not performing lumbar surgery.
  • Surgeons not affiliated with SSBe.

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Reported practices regarding return to work advice and sick leave following lumbar surgery

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 3 months (anticipated January 2026)

    Measured using a custom-designed online questionnaire. Topics include timing of advice, recommended duration of sick leave, and content of return-to-work guidance. Results reported as frequencies and percentages.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Reported barriers and facilitators to providing return to work guidance

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 3 months (anticipated January 2026)

    Measured using multiple-choice and Likert-scale questions. Topics include professional-level barriers and facilitators. Results reported as frequencies, percentages, and mean Likert scores (1-5; higher = greater agreement).

  2. Surgeon demographics and practice characteristics

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 3 months (anticipated January 2026)

    Demographic and professional background questions including age, sex, specialty, years in practice, hospital setting, and surgical case load. Results summarized as frequencies and percentages.

  3. Reported confidence and perceived responsibility in discussing return to work

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 3 months (anticipated January 2026)

    Measured using 5-point Likert scale questions. Topics include self-reported confidence in discussing return-to-work and perceived responsibility among surgeons. Results reported as mean scores (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree; higher scores = greater confidence/responsibility).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Return to Work After Lumbar Surgery for Radicular Pain: a Nationwide Survey of Spinal Surgeons' Practices and Perceptions

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Sep 26, 2025
Registry last updated
Apr 29, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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