Data were collected from 2986 adult patients of 172 U.S. and Canadian chiropractors in a practice-based research program over a one-week period in November 1999. Patients reported chief complaints and rated their chiropractors on aspects of the doctor-patient interaction as assessed by the Components of Primary Care Instrument (CPCI) and a nine-question adaptation of the Chiropractic Supplemental Item Set for the Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Study. Practice and practitioner characteristics were collected from the participating chiropractors. On the CPCI, patients rated their chiropractors highest in advocacy and interpersonal communication and lowest in comprehensiveness of care. Of the 1822 patients reporting pain, 56.2% rated the care they received for it as "excellent," 30.6% "very good;" 9.5% "good;" 1.3% "fair;" and 0.2% "poor;" 2.0% did not respond. The majority of patients (85.3%) answered they had enough time with the chiropractor; 11.0% would have liked a little more, 1.3% a lot more, and 0.4% less time (2.0% did not respond). Patients were quite satisfied with the care they received with 85% reporting that their chiropractor always listened carefully to them and always explained things in a way they could understand; 88% reported their chiropractor always showed respect for what they had to say; 78% felt their chiropractor always spent enough time with them. Most (82.3%) thought their chiropractor never recommended more visits than necessary. The frequency of contact and high level of interpersonal rapport that exists in the chiropractic encounter could provide opportunities for reinforcement of prevention and health promotion information.
Learning Objectives: 1) Define practice-based research 2) Describe how patients in this study perceived their chiropractors 3) Identify elements of the doctor-patient encounter that may contribute to patient satisfaction
Keywords: Chiropractic, Patient Satisfaction
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.