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

Abstract #104969

Michael Garner, MSc, Michael Birmingham, PhD, and Peter Aker, MSc, DC. Carlington Community and Health Services, 900 Merivale Rd, Ottawa, ON K1Z 5Z8, Canada, 613-722-4000 x247, mgarner@carlington.ochc.org

Although the use of chiropractic services in Canada has increased over the last 10 years, such services remain outside of those provided for by provincial health care insurance plans. As a result, cost remains a significant deterrent for people seeking chiropractic treatment, particularly those people without employer benefits, which usually subsidize chiropractic care. The current study sought to investigate the efficacy of chiropractic treatment in a low-income multi-ethnic population. More than 300 chiropractic patients presenting at one of two free community health centre chiropractic clinics in Ottawa, Canada will be surveyed. The efficacy of chiropractic treatment is assessed by general health measures (SF-12) and specific disability indexes (Roland Morris), which were administered pre- and post-intervention. Patient satisfaction and cost associated with care are also being evaluated. Preliminary quantitative data is currently unavailable as the project started September 2004, the first year of data will be analyzed in September 2005 and results will be presented at the meeting. Barriers to treatment and positive outcome for this population include motivation to do home exercises, language difficulties, cultural appropriateness, access to proper nutrition, failure to attend appointments regularly, and severe co-morbidities. The findings of this study seek to describe the efficacy of chiropractic treatment, and to inform future initiatives for providing chiropractic care to under serviced populations.

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

• Describe the clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction with chiropractic treatment in a multi-ethnic urban population
• Articulate the challenges of providing chiropractic treatment to a low-income, multi-ethnic community

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