Background Musculoskeletal pain and disability are leading causes of reduced health and significant economic costs worldwide. Individualised, and evidence-based treatment approaches for specific musculoskeletal conditions aimed at improving patient outcomes and costs have not been successful. Recently authors have suggested that the ‘process’ of how care is implemented within a health system needs to be considered as an influencer on patient outcomes. With the rising prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions and the burgeoning costs associated with their treatment, it seems timely that new research focusing on process variables and their influence on patients with musculoskeletal conditions is explored. Before such studies can take place, a modern definition of a process variable within a musculoskeletal care pathway is needed to anchor future research endeavours. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish a consensus-based definition of a process variable within a musculoskeletal care pathway, based on a New Zealand setting.

Methods This study used a virtual nominal group technique and took place in July 2023 using a Microsoft Teams platform. A nominal group technique employs a structured approach to generate information and solutions to problems that can then be prioritised through group discussion and consensus. It is unique because it allows expert participants to explore using in-depth inquiry, areas previously unidentified or not yet investigated. There was an inclusion criterion and the participants completed pre-work before the two-hour five stage virtual meeting. The Auckland University of Technology Ethics Committee (AUTEC) approved this study (AUTEC 23/94).

Results The study included eight participants (five male, three female) who had extensive experience with the New Zealand ACC insurance scheme and the design, implementation, and administration of musculoskeletal care pathways. The consensus definition was ‘A health process variable is any modifiable factor in a health process or pathway that can be quantified and measured and that if varied may achieve a different operational or patient outcome’.

Conclusions This study of New Zealand-based experts has formed a consensus-based agreement for a definition of a process variable in a musculoskeletal care pathway. This is an important first step in developing our understanding of process variables, and further research is needed to establish the link between process variables and their influence on the outcomes of patients with musculoskeletal conditions.