Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 28, Issue 2 , Pages 83-89, February 2005

Chiropractic in North America: A Descriptive Analysis

  • Ian D. Coulter, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Professor, School of Dentistry, University of California at Los Angeles, Calif
    • Senior Scientist, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif
    • Research Professor, Southern California University of Health Sciences, Whittier, Calif
    • Corresponding Author InformationSubmit requests for reprints to: Ian D. Coulter, PhD, RAND, 1700 Main St, PO Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138.
    • ,
  • Paul G. Shekelle, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Senior Scientist, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif
    • Research Associate, Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Service, Washington DC

Received 3 March 2004

Objective

This paper provides descriptive data on chiropractors, their practice, and their patients in North America in the past decade.

Method

Five sites in the United States and 1 in Canada were chosen, and a random sample of chiropractors was interviewed. In each practice, 10 patients were systematically selected on a single day. A total of 131 chiropractors and 1275 patients were interviewed.

Summary

The results suggest that doctors of chiropractic have firmly established themselves within the health care system in the United States and Canada and are able to attract patients who come to them directly for treatment, for largely back-related conditions, and who are willing to pay for their care.

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 Sources of support: This project was supported in part by grants from the Consortium for Chiropractic Research, the Chiropractic Foundation for Spinal Research, and the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (C34674).

PII: S0161-4754(05)00003-5

doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2005.01.002

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 28, Issue 2 , Pages 83-89, February 2005

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