• Shreeve MW
• Franklin M

• Affiliation / Private Practice of Chiropractic
• Affiliation(G) / United States / Florida / Port Orange
• Decision Making
• Evidence-Based Chiropractic / methods
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Outcome Assessment, Health Care
• Patient Preference
• Subluxation, Cervical

Objective: This paper describes the use of functional outcome assessments performed pre- and post-adjustment as a key component of evidence-based health care (EBHC) in a chiropractic clinical setting.

Methods: A retrospective review of 17 patient records was performed to describe the protocol used in a private chiropractic practice demonstrating the application of functional assessments to support clinical feedback and enroll the patient in shared decision making concerning their course of care. Testing was performed pre-adjustment and positive findings were reevaluated post-adjustment during the same patient encounter. The records were reviewed to assess patient compliance with the recommended management plan.

Results: Each positive test indicated a biomechanical and/or neurological deficit in the patient. Reevaluating positive tests after the adjustment showed improved findings. Patient compliance with the care plan appeared to be favorable when involved in shared decision making.

Conclusions: This paper discusses one practice model incorporating EBHC practices and protocols that may enroll the patient in shared decision making. The protocol may be easily modified to fit a clinician’s individual practice and patient preference.

Author Keywords: Chiropractic, outcome assessment (health care), evidence-based practice, vertebral subluxation, education

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