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An interactive model of chiropractic practice: reconstructing clinical reality
1Department of Chiropractic, Osteopathy & Complementary Medicine, Faculty of Biomedical & Health Sciences, RMIT, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
Summary
Chiropractic care involves bidirectional communication, both verbal and nonverbal, with touch being fundamental. This interactionist model suggests communication fosters healing by creating a shared clinical reality and reducing patient anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Chiropractic Care
- Clinical Communication
- Health Psychology
Background:
- An interactionist model for chiropractic care is proposed.
- The study investigates the compatibility of this model with real-world clinical practice.
- It explores how chiropractic clinical communication might contribute to patient healing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and validate an interactionist model for chiropractic care.
- To assess the alignment of this model with actual chiropractic practice.
- To elucidate the role of clinical communication in the healing process within chiropractic.
Main Methods:
- A constructivist inquiry paradigm was employed, utilizing purposive sampling and grounded theory.
- Data collection involved practice observation of 208 consultations with 34 chiropractors across Australia.
- Triangulation included chiropractor feedback on clinical scenarios and patient questionnaires from 144 individuals.
Main Results:
- Observed interactions in chiropractic practice were bidirectional, encompassing both task-oriented and relationship-oriented elements.
- Communication was noted to be both verbal and nonverbal.
- The fundamental role of touch, in both diagnostic and therapeutic contexts, was identified as a key feature.
Conclusions:
- The interactionist framework suggests that verbal and nonverbal communication in chiropractic settings can foster healing by establishing a shared clinical reality.
- The capacity of consultations to alter patient perceptions and alleviate anxiety is a significant factor in treatment effectiveness.
- The proposed interactionist model offers a valuable framework for understanding and reconceptualizing chiropractic clinical practice, enriching discussions on factors contributing to successful outcomes.