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Table 5 Distinguishing statements, factor scores, and summary statement score for collaborators (Factor 3) a

From: Attitudes, beliefs, and practices among Swiss chiropractors regarding medication prescribing for musculoskeletal conditions: a national Q-methodology study

Statement Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3 Factor 4
14 I believe that continuous education concerning medication prescription should be mandatory. 2 −1 4 2
6 I do not like to prescribe because it could interfere with other medical prescriptions (i.e., double prescription). −1 1 4 −3
17 I believe that chiropractors should get more continuing education (CE) about medications and side effects. 3 0 3 2
28 I am concerned when prescribing medication that the patient may omit information from their medical history (e.g., Oh yes, I am taking Beta blockers, but that is none of your concern is it?...). −1 1 2 −1
9 I think that being allowed to prescribe increases our credibility among patients. 0 − 2 2 3
12 I personally take very little to no medication on a yearly basis and think we should encourage this same approach with our patients. 0 3 2 0
3 I think medication prescriptions are a burden because they bring added professional responsibility to the chiropractor. −2 0 1 −4
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
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
27 I think that ice and painkillers, which are available without a prescription, are sufficient for our needs. −2 2 0 −2
10 I think medication prescription should only be performed by general practitioners or pharmacists. −4 2 0 − 3
7 The Apotheker/pharmacien (pharmacists) are for me the best people to contact with questions regarding medication. 1 2 0 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
38 I believe medications should be used conservatively in regards to patient management for MSK conditions. 2 2 0 − 2
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
22 I prescribe medication in extremely acute cases where absolutely no range of motion can be achieved and pain levels are too high. 3 1 − 2 2
21 I think that our current medication prescription privileges are in line with current evidence-based practice. 1 0 − 2 0
1 I feel my chiropractic training has adequately prepared me for prescribing medications to treat MSK conditions. −1 − 2 − 3 0
8 I think my knowledge for prescribing medications for treating non-MSK conditions is sufficient. −2 − 3 −4 2
Summary statement: Median (IQR) summary statement score:
I think that medication prescription privileges are an advantage for the chiropractic profession in Switzerland.
1 (1 to 2)
  1. IQR inter-quartile range, MSK musculoskeletal
  2. a Factor and summary statement scores range from − 4 to + 4. Negative scores indicate disagreement (or less agreement)
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