11th Nov 2013
Andrew Bracey
Full Story: http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/news/most-chiropractic-consults-evidence-based-study
A STUDY providing the best picture yet of the most common conditions treated by chiropractors suggests most chiropractic treatments and consultations undertaken in Australia are evidence based.
Researchers from the University of Melbourne collected de-identified data from 4464 consultations carried out by 52 Victorian chiropractors between December 2010 and September 2012.
The study, published in the Medical Journal of Australia and based on the model used in the BEACH research program, found that musculoskeletal issues were cited as the reason for 60 per 100 encounters with a chiropractor.
Encounters relating to no specific complaint, classed by practitioners as “maintenance care”, “wellness” or “checkup”, accounted for 39 per 100 consults.
Back problems were managed at a rate of 62 per 100 encounters, while the most frequent treatment provided by chiropractors was spinal manipulation therapy and massage.
Lead author Dr Simon French, from the university’s General Practice and Primary Health Care Academic Centre, said the study was the first of its kind in the world, and provided the most detailed information yet published on chiropractic practice in Australia.
“Very little current, reliable information is available about chiropractic practice in Australia, including who consults chiropractors, why they consult chiropractors, and for which conditions,” he said.
“Considering the large proportion of encounters were for back and neck pain, it is reassuring that much of the chiropractic care recorded in this study is supported by evidence.”
According to the study, patients involved in 52 per 100 encounters had been referred by another patient.
Just four per every 100 patients was referred to the chiropractor by a GP.
Three in every 100 encounters resulted in the chiropractor referring the patient to a GP.
Common criticism of the chiropractic profession, including that they provide care to infants and that they spend a very short time with patients, make up only a small proportion of chiropractic practice in Victoria, according to the research.
The authors said further research with a broader scope and more representative cohort was needed. They said the analysis of chiropractic consultation data over time would help to inform health policy and professional education regarding the field.
MJA online; 11 November