Table 3 Distinguishing statements, factor scores, and summary statement score for prescribers (Factor 1) a
Statement | Factor 1 | Factor 2 | Factor 3 | Factor 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
37 | I think that as MSK health specialists, chiropractors should have access to a variety of treatment options including medication. | 4 | –1 | –1 | −2 |
35 | I feel that prescribing painkillers and NSAIDs is a useful addition to chiropractic, particularly for patients who are in severe pain. | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
32 | I prescribe medication only during acute and sub-acute episodes of pain, not for long-term use. | 3 | −1 | 0 | 0 |
25 | I think medication prescription rights for chiropractors can streamline care, helping patients with MSK complaints to avoid unnecessary visits to their medical doctor. | 2 | 0 | –1 | 0 |
33 | I think prescribing medication is a good adjunctive to our treatment in some instances to speed up recovery. | 1 | –1 | –1 | –1 |
36 | I only prescribe pain medication when I think it would be useful, not every time the patient asks. | 1 | –1 | –2 | –1 |
21 | I think that our current medication prescription privileges are in line with current evidence-based practice. | 1 | 0 | –2 | 0 |
9 | I think that being allowed to prescribe increases our credibility among patients. | 0 | –2 | 2 | 3 |
34 | I think that instead of prescribing, chiropractors should collaborate with the patient’s medical doctor for the prescription of medications. | –1 | 2 | 1 | –2 |
15 | I think our prescription rights in Switzerland should be open at least to level 2 analgesics (i.e., codeine, tramadol). | –1 | −3 | −3 | 1 |
6 | I do not like to prescribe because it could interfere with other medical prescriptions (i.e., double prescription). | −1 | 1 | 4 | −3 |
3 | I think medication prescriptions are a burden because they bring added professional responsibility to the chiropractor. | −2 | 0 | 1 | −4 |
19 | I think a chiropractor prescribing medications is like a medical doctor doing manipulations, let us each focus on what we do best. | −3 | 4 | 1 | −2 |
5 | I think the use of medication for back pain should be discouraged and Swiss chiropractors should lead the way. | −3 | 3 | 0 | −1 |
26 | I believe it should be part of the definition of Chiropractic that we assist the body in self-healing WITHOUT the use of drugs or surgery. | −3 | 4 | −1 | −3 |
10 | I think medication prescription should only be performed by general practitioners or pharmacists. | −4 | 2 | 0 | −3 |
Summary statement: | Median (IQR) summary statement score: | ||||
I think that medication prescription privileges are an advantage for the chiropractic profession in Switzerland. | 3.5 (2 to 4) | ||||