FROM:
J Neuromusculoskeletal System 2001: 9 (4): 109–117
Cheryl Hawk, Cynthia Long, and Karen Boulanger
The purpose of this study was to describe aspects of the clinical encounter
in diverse chiropractic practices and assess patient satisfaction among a
sample of their patients. There were 2987 eligible patients of the 172
participating doctors of chiropractic (DCs) in the U.S. and Canada, all
members of a practice-based research program operating in a chiropractic
research center. Patients aged 18 years and older who had visited the office
at least once prior to that day's visit were eligible; each DC was asked to
enroll the first 20 eligible patients presenting on a specified date in
1999.
Chief complaints were primarily pain-related (61.6%), with 31.4% saying they
had "no problem today," indicating a follow-up or maintenance care visit.
For the 2796 U.S. patients, 57.9% paid some out-of-pocket expense and 31.3%
reported paying cash only. The median number of reported visits in the past
year to their chiropractor was 13 (Interquartile Range-IQR: 18). The
majority of patients were highly satisfied with their care; 85.0% reported
that their chiropractor always listened carefully; 85.3% that the DC
explained things understandably; 88.2% that the DC showed respect for what
they had to say; and 75.6% that he/she involved them in decisions as much as
they wanted. The median proportion of patients, per DC, with a chief
complaint who said their doctor always spent enough time with them was 82%
(IQR: 19%) and 82.3% reported that their chiropractors never recommended
more visits than necessary.
It appears that interpersonal aspects of the clinical encounter may play a
larger role in patient satisfaction with chiropractic care than actual time
spent or specific procedures used.
