The physician visit patterns of chiropractic users: health-seeking behavior of the elderly in Manitoba, Canada

To assess the effect of chiropractic use on overall health care utilization patterns, the volume and pattern of ambulatory physician visits by elderly persons having contact with chiropractors are compared with those having contact with physicians only. This analysis is based on data representative of the Canadian Province of Manitoba's entire elderly population; they are drawn from interviews and from claims filed routinely as part of Manitoba's universally insured health care services. The results show that chiropractic services do not substitute for physician services among the elderly in a province which fully insures medical services and a limited number of chiropractic visits. The data suggest that, under these conditions, some elderly chiropractic users consume more physician services than other elderly of equal health status, in addition to visiting chiropractors.