Theory versus Reality, an official selection from W.H.O.’s Health for All Film Festival
This beautiful short film encapsulates the challenges of treating low back pain in underserved communities.
At World Spine Care, we believe that everyone deserves access to quality spine care. Our focus is on low back and neck pain because together they comprise the leading cause of disability worldwide. But our vision for accessible healthcare isn’t limited to the spine. We know that many other conditions cause immense amounts of pain, suffering, and even death around the world, especially in low- to middle-income countries.
Health for All
“A beautiful short video and a real message for all of us.”
Over the past three years, the World Health Organization has held the Health for All Film Festival to promote and educate people about health. Filmmakers and organizations worldwide are invited to share stories that raise awareness, improve understanding, and encourage action around these causes of ill health.
Last month, WHO announced awards for the 2022 festival. There were 7 winners in the categories of universal health coverage, health emergencies, and better health and well-being. In addition, special prizes have been attributed to 6 videos on health innovation, rehabilitation, and very short films. All of the official selections are available to watch on the WHO website and YouTube channel.
One video in particular resonated with the experiences our clinicians share treating patients in disadvantaged areas.
Théorie versus Réalité
This touching short film illustrates the discrepancy between pure academic knowledge as taught in medical universities, and the much more complex reality of the challenges doctors face in their daily practice with their patients. As a general practitioner is trying to provide the best care for her patients, she meets Maeva, a patient hiding many issues, with consequences for her physical and mental health, whose smiling glance is just the tip of the iceberg.
Not only does the patient in this story suffer from low back pain, but she is also dealing with other health issues at the same time. The interaction of these comorbidities, lack of transportation, and low literacy make it difficult for the patient to receive proper care or understand how to take her prescription medication. This complexity also makes her low back pain diagnosis and treatment more challenging. The film illustrates how compassionate listening and being an adaptable clinician can help provide the best care for this patient.
We appreciate the important message in this touching video from Nanethida Nouanesengsy, a general practitioner in French Polynesia. We understand the challenge of providing quality care while also addressing other conditions and social determinants of health.
A Universal Message
The story of this patient resonated with World Spine Care’s clinical team.
“Low literacy is a problem in the Dominican Republic which then leads to poor compliance with taking medicines over the long term,” explained Dr. Patricia Tavares, clinical coordinator for the Dominican Republic. “Just like in this video, we see patients in our clinics who have not been able to afford their medications and do not take them, or they do not understand their condition and so do not follow through with their doctor's advice.”
Prescribing medications is outside of the scope of practice for the chiropractic and physical therapy providers who are the first contact for patients in World Spine Care clinics. Nevertheless, as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team, these clinicians often spend a lot of time educating patients on their condition and reminding them to take medication that their medical doctor prescribed for various comorbidities.
“All too often surgeons think only of surgery, chiropractors only of an adjustment or manipulation, medical doctors only of drugs, etc.” explained Dr. Jean Moss, CEO of World Spine Care. “We desperately need to educate healthcare workers to look at all sides of a problem.”
World Spine Care promotes a multidisciplinary approach to spine care. This begins by establishing long-term partnerships with local governments and healthcare delivery systems to educate health care workers in the screening, assessment, and management of non-surgical spinal conditions. Patients are provided education, guidance, and treatment, all with the goal of helping them overcome low back, neck pain, and other conditions. This helps them get back to living with improved quality of life, just like the patient in this beautiful video.
To view all the Health for All Film Festival submissions, visit who.int/initiatives/the-health-for-all-film-festival.
