Table 2 Accessibility to chiropractic services and scope of practice (N = 90)
n | (%) | |
|---|---|---|
Access and reimbursement | ||
Public access to chiropractors | ||
Direct access | 80 | (88.9) |
Direct access under supervision of medical doctor | 1 | (1.1) |
Medical referral needed | 2 | (2.2) |
Missing | 7 | (7.8) |
Are chiropractors’ fees covered by government health schemes? | ||
Yes | 16 | (17.8) |
No | 45 | (50.0) |
Missing | 29 | (32.2) |
Are chiropractors’ fees covered by private health schemes? | ||
Yes, all major schemes | 18 | (20.0) |
Yes, some major schemes | 28 | (31.1) |
No | 15 | (16.7) |
Missing | 29 | (32.2) |
Definition of chiropractic | ||
Does the legislation include a definition of chiropractic? | ||
Yes | 25 | (27.8) |
No | 25 | (27.8) |
Missing | 40 | (44.4) |
Is scope of practice defined in law or regulations? | ||
Yes | 26 | (28.9) |
No | 26 | (28.9) |
Missing | 38 | (42.2) |
Scope of practice: are chiropractors lawfully permitted to undertake the following activitiesa | ||
Myofascial dry needling/acupuncture | 20 | (22.2) |
Prescription of food supplements | 24 | (26.7) |
Prescription of herbal remedies | 19 | (21.1) |
Laser therapy | 23 | (25.6) |
Ultrasound/interferential/shockwave/other electrical therapy | 29 | (32.2) |
Missing | 54 | (60.0) |
Are prescribed acts included in the legislation? | ||
Yes | 9 | (10.0) |
No | 20 | (22.2) |
Missing | 61 | (67.8) |
Does the legislation confer protection of title? | ||
Yes | 39 | (43.3) |
No | 11 | (12.2) |
Missing | 49 | (44.4) |
Diagnostic rights | ||
In relation to plain film x-rays, are chiropractors lawfully permitteda | ||
To own and operate x-ray equipment within their clinics | 13 | (14.4) |
To prescribe/order x-rays (using an outside provider) within the state health system | 28 | (31.1) |
To prescribe/order x-rays (using an outside provider) privately | 35 | (38.9) |
Missing | 47 | (52.2) |
In relation to advanced diagnostic imaging chiropractors lawfully are permitted | ||
To prescribe/order advanced MRI/CT scans | 22 | (24.4) |
Missing | 68 | (75.6) |
In relation to diagnostic ultrasound, are chiropractors lawfully permitteda: | ||
To own and operate ultrasound equipment within their clinics | 14 | (15.6) |
To prescribe/order ultrasound studies (using an outside provider) | 32 | (35.6) |
Missing | 56 | (62.2) |
In relation to laboratory tests (blood, urine, etc.), are chiropractors lawfully permitted | ||
To prescribe/order laboratory tests | 29 | (32.2) |
No rights | 30 | (33.3) |
Missing | 31 | (34.4) |
Treatment and prescription rights | ||
Are/do chiropractors lawfully permitted/have statutory rights in relation to the prescription of pharmaceutical medication? | ||
Full prescribing rights without additional training | 1 | (1.1) |
Full prescribing rights with additional training | 0 | – |
Limited prescribing rights without additional training | 4 | (4.4) |
Limited prescribing rights with additional training | 4 | (4.4) |
No prescribing rights | 57 | (63.3) |
Missing | 24 | (26.7) |
Are chiropractors subject to any specific regulations/statutory restrictions in relation to the care of children? | ||
Yes | 57 | (63.3) |
No | 3 | (3.3) |
Missing | 30 | (33.3) |
Are chiropractors lawfully permitted to authorize sick leave? | ||
Yes | 20 | (22.2) |
No | 40 | (44.4) |
Missing | 30 | (33.3) |