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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Cheryl Hawk, DC, PhD, Department of Graduate Studies, Palmer College of Chiropractic, 741 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52803, Karen T. Boulanger, Institutional Planning, Palmer College of Chiropractic, 1000 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52803, Cynthia R. Long, PhD, Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, 741 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52803, and Michael Perillo, DC, MPH, Clinical Sciences, University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic, 349 Lincoln Avenue, Rockville Centre, CT 11570, 515-536-5860, hawkcheryl@aol.com.
With nearly 60,000 licensed practitioners serving 11% of the U.S. population annually, chiropractors are the largest body of complementary and alternative clinicians. The purpose of this study was to explore whether this large workforce may improve access to clinical preventive services by assessing U.S. chiropractors' current attitudes toward and self-reported provision of such services. In November 2001 we surveyed a random sample of 2000 licensed U.S. chiropractors in active practice, stratified by zip code. Questions reflected the components of clinical preventive services and the core competencies in disease prevention and health promotion established for medical education. Of 2000 surveys mailed, 544 were completed (response rate=27%), with 496 eligible respondents. Respondents were primarily male (81%), white (92%) and aged 35-54 (65%); 40% reported regular exercise; 79% always use seat belts; 30% always get appropriate screening exams; and 6% smoke. One percent reported current and 5% previous American Public Health Association membership. At least 50% of respondents reported that they had recommended blood sugar, blood cholesterol or prostate screening for any patient within the last month. Over 70% reported providing information to all patients on musculoskeletal risk reduction, exercise, diet, stress reduction and injury prevention. Sixty-two percent felt that chiropractors should provide patients with information on both the pro's and con's of immunization. Although we cannot infer that all U.S. chiropractors have as positive an attitude toward clinical prevention as these respondents, the results still suggest that chiropractors provide some clinical preventive services, particularly counseling related to fitness and diet.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the learner will be able to
Keywords: Chiropractic, Clinical Prevention Services
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.