Geriatricians’ attitudes about chiropractic care are important in the utilization of this alternative therapy in older adults. Currently there are no studies that have investigated geriatricians’ attitudes about chiropractic.
The American Geriatric Society lists chiropractic as one of the non-pharmacological treatments for pain in older adults. Recent epidemiological studies have reported that only approximately 11% of older adults employ chiropractic care. Despite the potential advantages of this type of alternative therapy, chiropractic care is not used in many older adults. Utilization of chiropractic care may be directly related to referrals by geriatricians. Do geriatricians’ attitudes about chiropractic affect their referrals of older adults for treatment?
This qualitative study explores the attitudes of geriatricians about chiropractic care. Phenomenology, the study of one’s experiences, was used as the qualitative framework to understand geriatricians’ attitudes about chiropractic care. Geriatricians were interviewed about their attitudes regarding referring older adults for chiropractic care; their stereotypes or thoughts about chiropractic treatment; and, to identify possible barriers to referring older adults for chiropractic care.
Data were collected through in-depth interviews. Data were coded, emergent themes identified, and conclusions made. The themes that emerge during data analysis and major findings will be presented.