Referral patterns and attitudes of primary care physicians towards chiropractors

Barry R Greene; Monica Smith; Veerasathpurush Allareddy; Mitchell Haas

doi:10.1186/1472-6882-6-5

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Referral patterns and attitudes of primary care physicians towards chiropractors

Journal article

Open access

Referral patterns and attitudes of primary care physicians towards chiropractors

Barry R Greene, Monica Smith, Veerasathpurush Allareddy and Mitchell Haas

BMC complementary and alternative medicine, Vol.6(1), pp.5-5

03/01/2006

DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-6-5

PMCID: PMC1456998

PMID: 16509963

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https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-6-5View

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Abstract

Despite the increasing usage and popularity of chiropractic care, there has been limited research conducted to examine the professional relationships between conventional trained primary care physicians (PCPs) and chiropractors (DCs). The objectives of our study were to contrast the intra-professional referral patterns among PCPs with referral patterns to DCs, and to identify predictors of PCP referral to DCs. We mailed a survey instrument to all practicing PCPs in the state of Iowa. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize their responses. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify demographic factors associated with inter-professional referral behaviors. A total of 517 PCPs (33%) participated in the study. PCPs enjoyed strong intra-professional referral relationships with other PCPs. Although patients exhibited a great deal of interest in chiropractic care, PCPs were unlikely themselves to make formal referral relationships with DCs. PCPs in a private practice arrangement were more likely to exhibit positive referral attitudes towards DCs (p = 0.01). PCPs enjoy very good professional relationships with other PCPs. However, the lack of direct formalized referral relationships between PCPs and chiropractors has implications for efficiency, continuity, quality, and patient safety in the health care delivery system. Future research must focus on identifying facilitators and barriers for developing positive relationships between PCPs and chiropractors.

Multivariate Analysis

Practice Patterns, Physicians' - statistics & numerical data

Iowa

Complementary Therapies - utilization

Primary Health Care - statistics & numerical data

Complementary Therapies - trends

Chiropractic - utilization

Interprofessional Relations

Referral and Consultation - statistics & numerical data

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice

Population Surveillance

Details

Title: Subtitle: Referral patterns and attitudes of primary care physicians towards chiropractors
Creators: Barry R Greene - Department of Health Management and Policy, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA. barry-greene@uiowa.edu
Monica Smith
Veerasathpurush Allareddy
Mitchell Haas
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: BMC complementary and alternative medicine, Vol.6(1), pp.5-5
DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-6-5
PMID: 16509963
PMCID: PMC1456998
NLM abbreviation: BMC Complement Altern Med
ISSN: 1472-6882
eISSN: 1472-6882
Publisher: England
Grant note: AT-01-001 / NCCIH NIH HHS C06 RR15433 / NCRR NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 03/01/2006
Academic Unit: Health Management and Policy
Record Identifier: 9984065705102771

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