Impact of Risk Disclosure on Patient Withdrawal in Chiropractic Care
Author Information
Author(s): Jennifer M Langworthy, Lianne Forrest
Primary Institution: Anglo-European College of Chiropractic
Hypothesis
Does disclosing the risks associated with cervical manipulation lead to higher patient withdrawal rates?
Conclusion
The study found that fears of increased patient anxiety leading to withdrawal from cervical manipulation due to risk disclosure may be unfounded.
Supporting Evidence
- 88% of chiropractors believe explaining risks is important for informed consent.
- Only 45% of chiropractors always discuss risks with patients.
- 80% of chiropractors feel a moral obligation to disclose risks despite concerns about patient anxiety.
Takeaway
Chiropractors worry that telling patients about risks will make them leave treatment, but this study shows that isn't really happening.
Methodology
Questionnaires were sent to 200 randomly selected UK chiropractors to assess their practices regarding risk disclosure and patient withdrawal.
Potential Biases
Respondents may have overestimated or underestimated withdrawal rates based on personal experiences.
Limitations
The study's results may not be generalizable due to a low response rate and potential biases in self-reported data.
Participant Demographics
One-third of respondents were female, with a mean practice experience of 10 years.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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