Table 2 All Items entered into Rasch Analyses

1. Ask about how your symptoms affect you in your everyday life 4.10 (1.92)

4. Appear composed and level-headed 6.06 (1.04)

9. Tell you that you should not be worried 3.96 (2.05)

1. Explain how the treatment offered would help with your problem 4.51 (1.78)

2. Encourage you to voice your concerns regarding your symptoms 4.50 (1.82)

11. Seem friendly and approachable 5.82 (1.31)

16. Give a clear timescale for when your symptoms should improve 3.88 (2.15)

2. Give you a clear explanation for your symptoms 4.36 (1.88)

3. Ask you what you thought your symptoms might mean 3.54 (1.97)

7. Show a genuine interest in your problem 5.38 (1.61)

18. Tell you that everything would be fine 3.52 (2.09)

3. Chat with you informally 4.89 (4.47)

4. Listen attentively while you were talking 5.75 (1.27)

15. Treat you politely 6.24 (1.01)

20. Reassure you that he/she had no serious concerns about your back 4.38 (2.02)

5. Encourage you to be optimistic 4.75 (1.71)

5. Give you enough time to say everything you wanted to say 5.56 (1.50)

6. Show acceptance of your concerns 5.30 (1.56)

8. Give you a choice of treatment options 3.72 (2.12)

6. Ask questions to make sure he/she understood what you meant 5.18 (1.72)

19. Put you at ease 5.13 (1.79)

10. Seem pleased with how you had managed your symptoms so far 4.26 (1.89)

7. Summarise what you had told them 4.77 (1.86)

13. Check that you agreed with the treatment plan 4.85 (1.97)

12. Make sure you understood what your treatment plan involves 4.95 (1.94)

21. Show that he/she understood your concerns 5.12 (1.80)

14. Assure you that you could control your problem 4.22 (2.01)

17. Explain your symptoms in relation to your concerns 4.40 (2.04)

22. Consider your lifestyle and needs in planning your treatment 4.18 (2.13)

23. Check you understood the explanation he/she gave for your symptoms 4.65 (1.96)