Referral Patterns Among Chiropractors
Author Information
Author(s): Monica Smith, Barry R Greene, Mitchell Haas, Veerasathpurush Allareddy
Primary Institution: Palmer College of Chiropractic
Hypothesis
What are the intra-professional and inter-professional referral patterns of chiropractors?
Conclusion
Chiropractors tend to engage in informal referral practices, which can negatively impact patient care coordination.
Supporting Evidence
- 40.7% of contacted chiropractors participated in the study.
- 74% of chiropractors have referred patients to other chiropractors.
- 99.8% of chiropractors have recommended patients see a medical doctor.
- DCs who perform differential diagnosis are more likely to engage in inter-professional referrals.
Takeaway
Chiropractors often don't formally refer patients to doctors, which can make it harder for patients to get the care they need.
Methodology
A survey was sent to all licensed chiropractors in Iowa to assess their referral patterns and attitudes.
Potential Biases
The low participation rate raises concerns about potential bias in the results.
Limitations
The study had a low response rate of 40.7%, which may affect the external validity of the findings.
Participant Demographics
The mean age of participants was 45 years, with 313 men and 113 women.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 1.6 – 12.8
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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