Table 2

Inter-professional Relationships between Chiropractors and MDs

Question
Response
N (%)

Have you ever recommended patient see a MD ?
Yes
420 (99.8)

No
1 (0.2)
Do you recommend patient contacts MD on own or initiate formal referral ?
Patient contacts MD
168 (43.4)

Doctor initiates referral
219 (56.6)
Have you ever referred patient to MD for evaluation or treatment?
Yes
384 (91)

No
38 (9)
How often referral includes sending case report?
Always
111 (31.2)

Usually
90 (25.3)

Sometimes
110 (30.9)

Never
45 (12.6)
How often referral includes sending X-rays or X-ray report?
Always
103 (28.6)

Usually
125 (34.7)

Sometimes
106 (29.4)

Never
26 (7)
How often referral includes sending clinical records other than X-rays?
Always
72 (21.1)

Usually
84 (24.6)

Sometimes
133 (38.9)

Never
53 (15.5)
How often referral includes sending reason for referral?
Always
291 (82.7)

Usually
45 (12.8)

Sometimes
12 (3.4)

Never
4 (1.1)
Have accepted referral from a MD
Yes
275 (66.3)

No
140 (33.7)
How often do you send clinical information to referring MD as follow-up to referral?¥
Always
74 (27.2)

Usually
68 (25)

Sometimes
100 (36.8)

Never
30 (11)
Have refused a referral from a MD?
Yes
17 (4)

No
403 (96)
Has a MD obtained clinical information or advice via curbside consultation
Yes
129 (30.5)

No
294 (69.5)
Have you obtained clinical information or advice from a MD via curbside consultation?
Yes
203 (48.4)

No
216 (51.6)

¶ – Questions are applicable for respondents who had referred a patient to a MD for evaluation or treatment.

¥ – Question is applicable for respondents who accepted a formal referral from a MD

Smith et al. Chiropractic & Osteopathy 2006 14:12   doi:10.1186/1746-1340-14-12