High Levels of Integration of Chiropractors in Multidisciplinary Care

High Levels of Integration of Chiropractors in Multidisciplinary Care

Researchers say that integrating chiropractic care with traditional medical care improves patient outcomes.

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As an experienced medical transcription outsourcing company, we provide electronic health record integrated documentation solutions for a wide range of specialties, including chiropractic. Chiropractors perform adjustments or manipulations to the spine or other parts of the body with the aim to correct misalignment, reduce pain, and promote the body's natural healing abilities. A recent study found that chiropractors working in multidisciplinary healthcare facilities such as hospitals report high levels of integration, including comanaging patients with medical staffs and sharing health records.

The Palmer College of Chiropractic reported on an article about the study which was published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. In a survey conducted by the study authors, doctors of chiropractic reported working in hospitals (40%), multispecialty offices (21%), ambulatory clinics (16%), or other (21%) health care settings. This survey is among the first to reveal the position of chiropractors who work in nongovernmental, private sector health care settings in the United States.

The study’s lead author noted that previous studies conducted by the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research (PCCR) revealed that chiropractic patients would like their doctors of chiropractic to collaborate with medical personnel. Chiropractors who work in integrated healthcare settings are well-placed to provide such collaborative care.

The chiropractors who were surveyed worked in interprofessional practice settings in which they either co-managed patient care or collaborated with a diverse group of health care providers. They worked in coordination with or referred patients to primary care providers and other health professionals who focus on helping patients to manage pain and enhance physical function. The study revealed that since many of the chiropractors were co-located, they contributed in such referrals on a daily or weekly basis, had frequent face-to-face discussions with medical physicians and other health care providers, and shared electronic health records. The authors note that their findings are in contrast with those from previous surveys of interprofessional communication between DCs and MDs which found infrequent referrals (limited to 1-3 times per month) and inconsistent exchange of health records.

Painful musculoskeletal conditions are one of the most common reasons why people see their primary care physician. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Management (CDC), and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) support the use of non-drug treatment such as chiropractic for pain management before opioids. In addition to

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manual adjustments, chiropractic care includes modalities such as heat and ice, electrical stimulation, relaxation techniques, rehabilitative and general exercise, counseling about diet and other lifestyle factors, and weight loss guidance.

Low back pain is a leading cause of disability among U.S. military personnel and chiropractic is a reliable option for this condition, reveals recent research. Healthline reported on a recent study in JAMA Network Open which found that adding chiropractic care to traditional medical care for U.S. military personnel provided better pain relief outcomes versus only traditional medical care.

The researchers evaluated the effects of chiropractic care on 750 active-duty U.S. members whose mean age was 30.9 years. The patients were put in two groups. One group received only traditional medical care (such as anti-inflammatory medications, opioids, spinal fusions, and epidural steroid injections). The other group got conventional back pain treatment along with chiropractic care (spinal manipulation adjustments along with manual therapies such as ice, heat, cryotherapy, and rehabilitative exercises).

On evaluation six weeks later, those who received both types of care reported moderately higher improvements in pain intensity and disability compared with those who only received traditional medical care. A senior investigator at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute noted that the study would help medical experts provide better treatment for military personnel.

A Gallup-Palmer College of Chiropractic Annual Study based on data collected from February through March 2017 show that 78% of Americans prefer to try other ways to address their physical pain before they take pain medication prescribed by a physician. According to an article published by the Chiropractic Summit, a multidisciplinary practice model that incorporates chiropractic care offers many benefits: -

Patient convenience and a team approach for care

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Focus on wellness and preventative care in addition to ‘sick care’

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Direct access of healthcare for patients

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Harmonizes health services

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Streamlines patient care flow

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Cost efficiencies for practitioners and patients, with significant reduction in resource utilization

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Lower healthcare costs

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A team approach to patient care, improved patient experience, reduced waiting time, greater scheduling flexibility, and better tracking of medical history and records

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Proactive health plan focusing on preventative care before the development of acute symptoms or chronic illness

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Makes health professionals aware about the legitimacy and effectiveness of chiropractic care

With new federal regulations and increased emphasis on improved outcomes and reduced costs, experts observe that there will be increased opportunities for the integration of chiropractic into medical practices, medical centers and hospitals. Outsourcing chiropractic medical transcription can ensure fast, accurate, and concise documentation, allowing chiropractors to focus on working with other health care professional to improve patient care.

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