HEALTH SERVICE RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
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Salons 10-12.
FRIDAY, 5:45-6:30 PM
Moritz S, Quan H, Liu MF, Rickhi B, Li B, Scholten
J.
Chiropractic use for low back pain and health services
utilization.
Canadian Institute of Natural and Integrative
Medicine s.moritz@cinim.org
STUDY PURPOSE: 1) To describe the proportion
of chiropractic use for patients with low back pain (LBP); 2) to describe
government insurance claims for patients who choose chiropractic treatment
for LBP for 1999-2001.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Alberta claims administrative
database was utilized to identify the total population with LBP in Calgary,
Canada in the year 2000. Chiropractic use amongst LBP patients was determined
from data on service type and the proportion of LBP patients utilizing
chiropractic treatment for LBP was calculated. To address the second
study purpose we restricted the LBP population to those who attended
at least two chiropractic visits in the year 2000. For those patients
health service claims for LBP only were calculated for the year 2000
as well as for 1999 and 2001. Claims relate to visits to a health care
practitioner whose fees are fully (general practitioner=GP and specialist)
or partially (chiropractor) covered by the provincial health insurance
plan of Alberta. This insurance plan pays a portion towards the fee
of a chiropractic visit, the uncovered portion is paid out-of-pocket
by the patient or covered by private insurance plans.
RESULTS: A total of 28,165 patients were treated
for LBP in Calgary in 2000. Of those 26,175 (93%) had at least two chiropractic
visits in 2000. The mean number of government insurance claims per patient
for this chiropractic patient population are presented in the table
below.
| |
GP Claims (Mean/patient) |
Specialist Claims (Mean/patient) |
Chiropractic Claims (Mean/patient) |
Total Claims for LBP (Mean/patient) |
| Chiropractic Patients (N=26,175)
|
1999: 0.03 |
0.01 |
8.74 |
8.77 |
| 2000: 0.03 |
0.01 |
7.45 |
7.49 |
| 2001: 0.03 |
0.14 |
7.98 |
8.02 |
CONCLUSION: Chiropractic treatment is commonly used
amongst LBP patients. Those who choose it, use it consistently and almost
exclusively although a patient contribution towards payment of this
service maybe required.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT: This study was generously supported
by the Lotte and John Hecht Foundation and the Norlien Foundation.
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