Research assistants approached 548 patients with an invitation
to participate. Of the 357 who initially agreed, 277 (78%)
were interviewed, and 275 (77%) were included in the analysis
(Fig. 1). One patient started but did not complete the interview.
The remainder either declined to be interviewed after the
physician visit or left the clinic without being interviewed.
Those who gave a reason cited lack of time or the need to go
elsewhere for further testing (e.g., laboratory or radiology).
Patients who were not interviewed after initially agreeing to
participate were more likely to have seen a resident physician
but had similar pain scores, reasons for the visit, and
demographics to completers