Choosing a Doctor of Chiropractic
Finding the right doctor of chiropractic is similar to finding the right medical
doctor or dentist. Consideration must be given to education, technique, and
specialty as well as other, more personal criteria such as communication, healthcare
philosophy and personality. Therefore, you should become as educated as possible
when choosing a chiropractor by assembling as much useful information as you
can. Try to gathering information from many sources including:
• HealthGrades.com™ Chiropractic profiles
• Friends/family
• Health plan network lists
• Your health benifits officer at work or with your insurance company
Education and Training
Chiropractic education and training is monitored by the Council on Chiropractic
Education (CCE), a non-profit organization located in Scottsdale, Arizona. A
chiropractor receives education and training for licensure from a chiropractic
college and must pass a series of national examinations.
Chiropractic College
Chiropractic programs consist of four years of undergraduate education. At a
minimum, two years of college are required for admission to the college. Some
colleges require more semester units. Currently, seven State Licensing Boards
require a bachelorıs degree in addition to the chiropractic degree (Florida,
Kansas, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, with West
Virginia scheduled to add the requirement as of July 1, 2005). A chiropractic
program includes an average of 41% clinical science hours and 29% clinical clerkship
or internship. Clinical science hours are devoted to extensive laboratory and
hands-on training in manual procedures. Students who have graduated from any
of the chiropractic colleges accredited by CCE may take the licensing examination
in any of the 50 states.
Specialty Training
Specialty training is available through chiropractic colleges for postgraduate
education or full-time residency programs. Specialty training is available in
family practice, clinical neurology, orthopedics, sports injuries, pediatrics,
nutrition, rehabilitation and industrial consulting. Both the residency and
the postgraduate programs allow a doctor of chiropractic to sit for specialty
competency examinations. The American Chiropractic Association, the International
Chiropractorsı Association, and the American Board of Chiropractic Specialties
recognize specialty boards. Specialty boards may confer ³Diplomate² status in
a given area after successful examination. Orthopedics and sports injuries are
the most prevalent specialty certification.
Licensure
Chiropractic is licensed and regulated in all 50 states in the U.S. and in over
30 countries worldwide. State licensing boards regulate, among other factors,
education, experience and moral character of candidates for licensure. There
is a wide variation in scope of chiropractic practice from state to state. Currently,
a few states allow very little in practice scope other than spinal adjustments
while others permit additional forms of care such as acupuncture, electromyography,
nutritional consulting and laboratory diagnostics.
Quality Measurements
When evaluating chiropractic quality, it is best to look at many different measurements
and make your decision based upon several criteria. The following are some good
quality measurements to include in your evaluation:
Continuing Education
Once licensed, most doctors of chiropractic must attend continuing education
programs throughout their careers to remain licensed. Only two states do not
require continuing education (New York and New Jersey). The amount of continuing
education varies but the most prevalent requirement is 12 hours per year.
Experience
Find out how many years a chiropractor has been practicing. If you are choosing
a chiropractor in a state with a broad scope of practice, the more experience
the chiropractor has better the results will be. If the doctor of chiropractic
specializes, ask how long they have practiced that specialty. Compare that with
the experience of other chiropractors.
Insurance Coverage
While malpractice insurance is required in many states and by almost all managed
care organizations, not every doctor of chiropractic carries malpractice insurance.
Because malpractice insurance protects the patient as well as the provider,
ask the doctor of chiropractic if they have malpractice insurance and at what
level of coverage
Sanctions
Has the chiropractor ever had any disciplinary actions against her/him? State
licensing boards review and investigate complaints and, when appropriate, take
different forms of disciplinary action against chiropractors who have broken
the law or acted unprofessionally.
Customer Satisfaction
Personal Information
Is it important to you to have a male or female chiropractor? Is there an age
range in into which you would prefer your chiropractor fall? Do you prefer that
your chiropractor have a particular communication style or personality?
Referrals
Get information about a chiropractor from friends, family, or other health care
professionals. Seek their advice if possible.
Costs
Chiropractic care is generally covered as part of a private insurance benefit,
managed care plans and Medicare benefits packages. Ask what if there are any
out-of-pocket expenses and review them carefully with your insurance plan to
make sure you are not paying for a procedure that may be covered.
Access
Location
Convenience is important when locating a chiropractor. Is the office located
close to work or home? Check parking availability and accessibility. Is there
a cost to park at the office?
Hours
What are the chiropractorıs hours? Many doctors of chiropractic have evening
and/or weekend appointments.
Availability
Is the chiropractor taking new patients? How long must you wait to make an appointment?
Is the chiropractor part of a group? Would the partners see you if he/she is
out-of-town? Is the office staff friendly and courteous?
Health Plan
If your insurance plan covers chiropractic care, check to see if the chiropractor
is part of the insurance network. Call the chiropractor to see if he/she will
accept your insurance.
Checklist/Questions to Ask When Choosing a Doctor of Chiropractic
• Is the doctor of chiropractic licensed?
• How many years has the chiropractor been practicing?
• Are they covered by malpractice insurance?
• Check for personal information on the chiropractor (age, sex) if that
information is important to you.
• Is the office of the chiropractor convenient to your home or work?
• Is parking at the office accessible and affordable?
• Is the chiropractor covered by your insurance plan?
• If not, what will be your out-of-pocket expenses?
• What are the chiropractorıs hours?
• What specialty certifications does the chiropractor have?
• Is the office staff friendly and courteous?
• Is the office clean and comfortable?
• How long do you have to wait to see the chiropractor?
• Does the chiropractor listen to your concerns and communicate treatment
in terms that you can understand?
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