Index to Chiropractic Literature
Index to Chiropractic Literature
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ID 18715
  Title Chiropractic consultation requests in the Veterans Affairs health care system [platform presentation; the Association of Chiropractic Colleges' Thirteenth Annual Conference, 2006]
URL
Journal J Chiropr Educ. 2006 Spring;20(1):9
Author(s)
Subject(s)
Peer Review Yes
Publication Type Meeting Abstract
Abstract/Notes PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to review demographic characteristics of Veterans Administration (VA) chiropractic patients and determine the level of appropriateness of chiropractic consultation requests within a VA chiropractic clinic. Information regarding the volume of requests and wait times for appointments was obtained to provide insight into the demand for and access to VA chiropractic services.

METHODS: A purposive sample of the first 100 chiropractic consultation requests received through the Computerized Patient Record System at the VA Medical Center was selected for data collection and analysis.

RESULTS: The VA chiropractic patients in this study were primarily older males with chronic low back pain that had not responded to medical management and other treatment modalities. More than half of patients had some degree of service-connected disability. Consultation requests came largely from Primary Care and the majority of requests were for patients for whom chiropractic was clinically indicated and requested pre-consultation diagnostic studies had been performed.

DISCUSSION: This study represents an early investigation into the integration of chiropractic services within the VA Health Care System. Chiropractic clinical training for students and post-graduate education for VA doctors of chiropractic should emphasize management of chronic mechanical pain syndromes complicated by conditions specific to military experience and possible combat exposure. The chiropractic consultation request process can be adapted to the specific needs and resources of VA chiropractic clinics with appropriate access to chiropractic services enhanced by effective communication between chiropractors and referring provider types.

CONCLUSIONS: The VA chiropractic patients in this study differed from traditional non-VA chiropractic patients with regards to age and gender. Commonalities in patient presentations within this veteran population should influence training for doctors of chiropractic entering the VA Health Care System. While the consultation requests were appropriate based on locally established criteria, timely access to chiropractic services in this part-time clinic became limited as demand quickly exceeded capacity. Additional health systems research is indicated to evaluate chiropractic implementation on a larger scale within the VA Health Care System.

This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher.

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