The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

3109.0: Monday, November 17, 2003 - 11:18 AM

Abstract #62410

Use of guidelines on nutrition and smoking cessation counseling in chiropractic practice

Monica Smith, DC, PhD, Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, Palmer College of Chiropractic, 741 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52803, 563 884-5173, smith_m@palmer.edu and Lynne Carber, BS, Palmer College Research, 741 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52803.

Introduction: Comprehensive approaches to wellness-oriented chiropractic healthcare provision include discipline-specific (e.g. “maintenance care”) and cross-disciplinary care such as general preventive measures. We examined the congruence between chiropractic practice and AHCPR’s multidisciplinary preventive care guidelines, “Putting Prevention into Practice”.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey of 2 separate samples of U.S. chiropractors: 1) a simple random sample (SRS sample) of 2,500 DCs, and 2) a clustered random sample of 2,531 DCs (CTS sample). A subset of each sample received one of two questionnaires about the US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines on Nutrition Counseling and Smoking Cessation, querying the perceived relevance, legitimacy, and impact of such guidelines on their practice.

Results: Data collection is complete, data entry and analysis is still underway. Final data will be reported at APHA2003 conference. Preliminary data results are consistent across the SRS and CTS samples, and indicate that DCs generally agree that Guidelines for Counseling Patients about Nutrition and Smoking Cessation are:

Based on sound scientific evidence, should be applied in practice, and are consistent with their current clinical practice (over 80% for Nutrition guidelines, over 70% for Smoking Cessation). Could positively impact reimbursements or inclusion in managed care (over 50% Nutrition, over 40% Smoking ). Beneficial, and consistent with state laws governing chiropractic (over 80% Nutrition, over 50% Smoking).

Discussion: Presentation will discuss the application of multidisciplinary preventive guidelines in chiropractic practice, and the differences in DC’s opinions regarding Nutrition vs. Smoking Cessation guidelines as reported in this survey.

Learning Objectives:

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Prevention in Chiropractic

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA