Attitudes of chiropractic patients: a preliminary survey of patients receiving care in a chiropractic teaching clinic.

A survey of 390 patients receiving care in the teaching clinics of the Northwestern College of Chiropractic (NWCC) was conducted to obtain information about patient satisfaction with their chiropractic care and about their prior or subsequent utilization of other types of health care services. Patients were contacted by telephone after a period of at least one month had passed since discharge or discontinuance of care. Of patients surveyed, 92.1% responded that there was improvement in their condition ranging from "slight" to "complete" while 7.9% stated that there was no improvement in their complaint after receiving care. When asked about receiving treatment for their complaint prior to admittance, 58.0% stated that they had not sought previous care while 42.0% received treatment from another doctor first. These data are discussed and compared to other recently published investigations regarding utilization of chiropractic health care services and patient attitudes concerning chiropractic.