Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #104913

Michael Birmingham, PhD, Michael Garner, MSc, and Peter Aker, MSc, DC. Carlington Community and Health Services, 900 Merivale Rd, Ottawa, ON K1Z 5Z8, Canada, 613-478-2112, heelinghands@aol.com

In August of 2004, chiropractic care was integrated into two Community Health Centres (CHC) in Ottawa, Canada. We sought to evaluate the process of integration and the outcomes of collaboration. In addition, we are developing a framework for future integration and collaboration between existing primary care teams and chiropractors. The baseline attitudes and preconceptions of the existing medical team (physicians, nurse practitioners, and nurses) regarding chiropractic and collaboration were assessed. The majority of providers were skeptical and negative towards chiropractic but open to collaboration. Over the first six months of care, the integration and collaboration has been markedly different at the two sites. One site has quickly embraced chiropractic and has made it the primary modality for treating musculoskeletal disorders. The other site has been gradual in its use and integration of chiropractic. Factors influencing integration include: location in the clinic, personality of the chiropractor, availability of other rehabilitation treatments, chiropractor presence at team meetings, availability of alternative treatments, and quality of feedback to providers when a referral to chiropractic is made. A large number of CHC clients present with multiple co-morbidities which has required the development of a cross-disciplinary coordination of care between the medical team and the chiropractor. This project is the only initiative we are aware of that integrates chiropractors into existing multi-disciplinary medical health teams. The findings from this project have been positive and suggest that chiropractors and existing primary care teams can work in collaboration.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the attendee will be able to

• Articulate the factors that influence integration of complimentary medicine into an interdisciplinary health care team
• Apply the knowledge gained from the presentation to future initiatives that seek to integrate traditional and complementary alternative medicine
• Evaluate the future for coordinated care between chiropractors and medical doctors

Keywords: Chiropractic, Community Health Centers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation