Attitudes Toward Chiropractic

Abstract

We assessed the attitudes of Canadian obstetricians toward chiropractic with a 38-item cross-sectional survey. Ninety-one obstetricians completed the survey, for a response rate of 14% (91 of 659). Overall, 30% of respondents held positive views toward chiropractic, 37% were neutral, and 33% reported negative views. Most (77%) reported that chiropractic care was effective for some musculoskeletal complaints, but 74% disagreed that chiropractic had a role in treatment of non-musculoskeletal conditions. Forty percent of respondents referred at least some patients for chiropractic care each year, and 56% were interested in learning more about chiropractic care. Written comments from respondents revealed concerns regarding safety of spinal manipulation and variability among chiropractors. Canadian obstetricians' attitudes toward chiropractic are diverse and referrals to chiropractic care for their patients who suffer from pregnancy-related low back pain are limited. Improved interprofessional relations may help optimize care of pregnant patients suffering from low back pain.

Be good, communicate, and collaborate: a qualitative analysis of stakeholder perspectives on adding a chiropractor to the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team

“…Through the lens of a qualitative study designed to inform an upcoming chiropractic integration process, these results extend what is known about the perceived value and role of chiropractors within medical settings. While the lay public and chiropractic patients report fairly favorable assessments of chiropractic [ 5 , 7 , 10 , 44 ], clinician attitudes often pitch toward more neutral or even negative views [ 3 , 19 , 22 , 23 ]. The current study found generally positive support for the addition of a chiropractor to a specific clinical setting.…”

“…In contrast, the literature on interactions between chiropractors and other healthcare professionals often tells a story of fragmentation, disconnection, boundary skirmishes, and a general failure to communicate [ 12 – 17 ]. Primary care providers and medical specialists have recognized the competence of some chiropractors to treat some musculoskeletal problems in some patients, particularly those with low back pain [ 18 , 19 ]. Medical and osteopathic physicians, physiotherapists, manual therapists, obstetricians and midwives, and other healthcare professionals often report minimal knowledge of the chiropractic profession or its treatments [ 18 – 20 , 24 , 27 ].…”

“…Healthcare providers and students often report having had no firsthand encounters with a doctor of chiropractic, either personally as a chiropractic patient or professionally in a collegial relationship [ 18 , 24 , 27 ], which may lead to misperceptions about the treatments offered by chiropractors. Nonetheless, many types of physicians describe negative attitudes towards chiropractic as a profession, at times based upon an experience reported by an individual patient [ 14 , 19 , 22 ]. For example, orthopedic surgeons report concerns with the variability in quality and approach between chiropractors, questioned the ethics of some providers and the use of ‘fringe’ treatments in some clinics, and commented on the inadequacy of educational training and the sparse scientific basis of chiropractic treatments [ 22 , 23 ].…”

Core and Complementary Chiropractic: Lowering Barriers to Patient Utilization of Services

“…The perception of diversity within the daily practice of chiropractic,9, 25, 29 including whether there is an evidence-based grounding of the practice 25, 28…”

“…However, the general public 24 and referring health care providers as a group25, 28 remain wary. They cite skepticism for extensive treatment plans and claims of efficacy in nonmusculoskeletal conditions,28, 42, 49 as well as the promotion, by some, of pseudoscientific stands on health practices 6, 46, 52, 53, 54. Skepticism extends to the reliance by some DCs on the as yet scientifically undefined concept of “subluxation” as the sole grounds for providing care 6, 55.…”