Danish Chiropractic Practice: a glimpse into current health care encounters using a consumer's lens

Cornelius Myburgh, Eleanor Boyle, Henrik Wulff Christensen

Research output: Contribution to journalConference abstract in journalCommunication

Abstract

Objectives:
To develop a contemporary, patient-oriented perspective of chiropractic private practice, as reflected by the setting, practice models and clinical interactions observable in Denmark.
Methods:
A qualitative point-of-view investigation was conducted making use of participant observation, face-to-face interviews and video analysis. Data was analysed for content and thematic emergence.
Results:
A purposive sampling framework yielded 11 clinic sites, representative of prevalent practice models. Data collected over a 6-month period included interviews with 60 patients, 22 health care professionals and 12 administrative staff. These were supplemented with video recordings of 33 clinical interactions.
Health care encounters potentially start before patients enter clinics as individuals search websites to identify a suitable environment. In this regard modern, ‘cosy’ clinics are often favoured. Danish chiropractors rarely function in a mono-professional setting, thus patients typically encounter one or more non-chiropractor during their treatment. Administrative staff is integral to the functioning of multi-disciplinary clinics, but also appear to function as ‘informal’ sources of information to patients; in particular what they might expect during their consultation and what their clinical consultant ‘is like’. Clinics tend to have a strong musculoskeletal focus; however, preventative health care thinking and practices form an undertone clearly observable in both staff and patients. Patients value competence and professionalism in their clinical encounter with their chiropractor.
Conclusion:
Danish chiropractic practice is strongly influenced by modern consumer behaviour and team-oriented practice trends. Furthermore, the administrative hub plays an important role in operationalizing this multi-practitioner approach, thus shaping the patient’s experience. And whilst patients appear receptive of this type of clinical encounter, the anchoring role of a competent chiropractor (lead clinician) is key.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Chiropractic Medicine
Volume14
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)139
Number of pages1
ISSN1556-3707
Publication statusPublished - 2015
Event13th WFC Congress/ECU convention - Athen, Greece
Duration: 13. May 201516. May 2015

Conference

Conference13th WFC Congress/ECU convention
Country/TerritoryGreece
CityAthen
Period13/05/201516/05/2015

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Danish Chiropractic Practice: a glimpse into current health care encounters using a consumer's lens'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this