Studies have shown that chiropractic patients tend to be more pleased with their care than patients of medical doctors. The odds are good that you are one of the many people who are highly satisfied with their doctor of chiropractic (DC) and their level of treatment.

Yet another study points out the high level of patient approval regarding chiropractic care. In the study, published in the Journal of the Neuromusculoskeletal System, researchers examined aspects of clinical care in chiropractic practices and determined patient satisfaction with treatment. One hundred seventy-two DCs and nearly 3,000 of their adult patients who had sought treatment at least once previously completed questionnaires during a visit. The data obtained on patient satisfaction are listed below:

• 88% of patients felt their DC always respected their opinion (9% responded "usually");
• 85% said their DC always listened to them carefully and explained treatment clearly (12% responded "usually");
• 82% said their DC never recommended an excessive number of visits (11% responded "sometimes"); and
• 76% claimed their DC involved them in decisions "as much as they wanted" (19% responded "usually").

Clearly, most chiropractic patients are happy with their level of care. You have every reason to be satisfied with your DC and the treatment he or she provides. If you aren't experiencing a high level of care, be sure to seek out a DC that is right for you, and if you are happy, be sure to recommend your DC to family and friends. If you need to locate a chiropractor in your area, go to http://www.chiroweb.com/locator.

Reference:

Hawk C, Long CR, Boulanger KT. Patient satisfaction with the chiropractic clinical encounter: Report from a practice-based research program. Journal of the Neuromusculoskeletal System 2001:9(4), pp. 109-117.