Chiropractic health care in health professional shortage areas in the United States

Abstract

Objectives: We compared chiropractic practice volume in areas of high versus areas of low or no shortages of primary care providers.

Methods: Using data from a cross-sectional survey of US chiropractors and data from the Bureau of Health Professions' Area Resource File, we conducted multiple linear and logistic regression modeling of the effects of rural or Health Professional Shortage Area location on chiropractic practice volume and wait times.

Results: Chiropractors in rural and high-shortage areas have busier, higher-volume practices than do those in other locales (after control for other chiropractors in the same market service area).

Conclusions: Chiropractic providers render a substantial amount of care to underserved and rural populations. Health policy planners should consider the full complement of providers available to improve access to care.

FIGURE 1

—US chiropractors per 100 000 population, by county: 1998. Note. Distribution has not been adjusted for chiropractic college faculty licenses. Source: Proprietary mailing list, unpublished; Dynamic Chiropractic [newspaper]; Huntington Beach, Calif; 1998. Courtesy of Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, Palmer College of Chiropractic, 2002.

FIGURE 2

—Access to primary medical care providers in the United States. Source. Area Resource File. Baltimore, MD: Health Resources Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professions; 1996. Courtesy of Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, Palmer College of Chiropractic, 2002.