Chiropractic services in the Canadian Armed Forces: a pilot project

Area of Science:

• Military Health
• Chiropractic Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Chiropractic care is increasingly integrated into diverse healthcare settings.
• The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) piloted chiropractic services to assess patient and physician satisfaction.
• Understanding satisfaction is crucial for evaluating new healthcare modalities within military contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient and referring physician satisfaction with chiropractic services introduced at a Canadian Forces hospital.
• To identify factors associated with patient satisfaction with chiropractic care.
• To inform the potential role of chiropractic services within the CAF.

Main Methods:

• A pilot project was conducted at Archie McCallum Hospital, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
• Surveys were administered to 102 military personnel receiving chiropractic care and their referring physicians.
• Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to determine factors influencing patient satisfaction.

Main Results:

• High satisfaction rates were reported: 94.2% of patients and 80.0% of physicians were satisfied.
• Chronic low back pain was the most common reason for chiropractic consultation.
• Older age and knee pain as a presenting complaint were associated with decreased patient satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• The introduction of chiropractic services in a military hospital setting yielded high satisfaction among patients and physicians.
• While overall satisfaction is positive, specific patient demographics and conditions may influence perceived benefits.
• Further research into functional outcomes and cost-effectiveness is recommended to fully integrate chiropractic care into the CAF.