International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, Media, PA 19063, USA.
J Altern Complement Med. 2010 Jun;16(6):621-6. doi: 10.1089/acm.2009.0369.
The objective of this study was to characterize the practice of pediatric chiropractic.
The study design was a cross-sectional descriptive survey.
SETTINGS/LOCATION: The settings were private practices throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.
The participants were 548 chiropractors, the majority of whom are practicing in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Practitioner demographics (i.e., gender, years in practice, and chiropractic alma mater), practice characteristics (i.e., patient visits per week, practice income reimbursement), and chiropractic technique were surveyed. The practitioners were also asked to indicate common indicators for pediatric presentation, their practice activities (i.e., use of herbal remedies, exercise and rehabilitation, prayer healing, etc.), and referral patterns.
A majority of the responders were female with an average practice experience of 8 years. They attended an average of 133 patient visits per week, with 21% devoted to the care of children (<18 years of age). Practice income was derived primarily from out-of-pocket reimbursement with charges of an average of $127 and $42 for the first and subsequent visits, respectively. These visits were reimbursed to address common conditions of childhood (i.e., asthma, ear infections, etc.). Approach to patient care was spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) augmented with herbal remedies, exercises, rehabilitation, and so on. Wellness care also figured prominently as a motivator for chiropractic care. Fifty-eight percent (58%) indicated an established relationship with an osteopathic or medical physician. Eighty percent (80%) of the responders indicated referring patients to medical practitioners while only 29% indicated receiving a referral from a medical/osteopathic physician.
The chiropractic care of children is a significant aspect of the practice of chiropractic. Further research is warranted to examine the safety and effectiveness of this popular nonallopathic approach to children's health.
本研究旨在描述小儿脊椎按摩疗法的实践情况。
本研究设计为横断面描述性调查。
研究地点为美国、加拿大和欧洲的私人诊所。
参与者为 548 名脊椎按摩师，其中大多数在美国、加拿大和欧洲行医。
调查从业者的人口统计学特征（即性别、从业年限和脊椎按摩学母校）、实践特征（即每周就诊次数、实践收入补偿）和脊椎按摩技术。还要求从业者指出小儿就诊的常见指征、他们的实践活动（如使用草药、运动和康复、祈祷治疗等）以及转诊模式。
大多数回应者为女性，平均从业经验为 8 年。他们平均每周就诊 133 次，其中 21%的患者为儿童（<18 岁）。实践收入主要来自自付费用，每次就诊的费用平均为 127 美元，首次就诊和后续就诊分别为 42 美元。这些就诊费用用于支付儿童常见疾病的费用（如哮喘、耳部感染等）。对患者的治疗方法是脊椎手法治疗（SMT），辅以草药、运动、康复等。健康保健也是脊椎按摩治疗的一个重要动机。58%的人表示与整骨医生或内科医生建立了稳定的关系。80%的回应者表示会将患者转介给内科医生，而只有 29%的人表示会收到内科/整骨医生的转介。
小儿脊椎按摩疗法是脊椎按摩实践的一个重要方面。需要进一步研究来检验这种流行的非顺势疗法治疗儿童健康的安全性和有效性。
