A research study recently published in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine titled: The Beliefs and Attitudes of Chiropractors and Their Patients Utilising an Open Practice Environment sought to explore chiropractic patients’ beliefs, experiences and satisfaction with chiropractic care in an open environment and to test the hypothesis that a patient’s privacy and dignity may be preserved in open adjusting environments.

The study was authored by:

• David Damaske, DC
• Paul McCrossin, B.App.Sci.(Chiro)
• Francesco Santoro, PhD
• Joel Alcantara, DC

The study received ethics approval by the Institutional Review Board of the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation and revealed that participants indicated positive experiences such that they were comfortable receiving care in such an open environment, their dignity was respected, their privacy maintained and they were cared for in a professional manner.

This is not surprising since so many other types of providers care for patients in an open environment. However, as with many things in chiropractic, certain groups, organizations and even regulatory boards have opined or ruled that the use of an "open adjusting" concept is an unethical practice in chiropractic. These organizations tend to be those who are subluxation deniers and believe this is one way that chiropractors who focus on subluxation force their patients to do things they really don't want to do.

This study should put all of that nonsense to rest once and for all.

The study involved European chiropractors in several European countries. Their patients were asked to complete a Global Wellness and Likert-type survey for the purpose of the study. One-thousand one-hundred and nine patients who received chiropractic care in an open environment participated in this study.

In addition to answering positively on questions regarding dignity, privacy and professionalism, they also reported to be very highly satisfied with the care they were receiving (average rating = 8.98/10) and expressed significantly improved survey responses in regard to their self-rated Global Wellness at the time of evaluation compared to baseline measures.

In terms of their attitudes, beliefs and experiences in this model of chiropractic care, participants indicated positive experiences such that they were comfortable receiving care in such an environment, their dignity was respected, their privacy maintained and they were cared for in a professional manner.

The researchers concluded that their findings provide valuable insight into patients’ perspective in receiving care in an open adjusting environment and that the open adjusting environment is an effective practice model for maintaining a patient’s dignity and privacy while providing a high level of patient satisfaction. They authors suggest that open room care may need to be included in future decisions regarding best practice configuration for chiropractic care facilities.

CLICK HERE for a copy of the research paper