Footnotes

• Contributors MOK was primarily responsible for study conception and design. MOK drafted the first version of this manuscript. All authors (POS and KOS) provided critical evaluation and revision of the manuscript and have given final approval of the manuscript accepting responsibility for all aspects. Kevin Wernli created the infographic for the editorial.

• Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

• Competing interests KOS serves in a voluntary capacity as Senior Associate Editor of BJSM. All three authors conduct research on a behavioural intervention called cognitive functional therapy (CFT) which places a strong focus on patient education. All authors have received payments for clinical workshops on CFT.

• Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

• Patient consent for publication Not required.