A retrospective demographic study at the Calgary Urban Project Society: chiropractic service delivery beyond upper-middle class

摘要

The segments of society that suffer the greatest musculoskeletal disability tend to be the lower income groups^1,2,3 and yet little has been written about their use of chiropractic care. This one year retrospective study was intended to gain insight into chiropractic service utilization within this low-income bracket by examining the demographics of users of chiropractic care at Calgary Urban Project Society (CUPS) Health Clinic. From July 1, 1997 to June 30, 1998 six hours of volunteer chiropractic services per week were provided at CUPS and utilization data was abstracted from these files. The results of the study include the fact that 988 chiropractic treatments were rendered to 183 individuals (67% men, 33% women) exclusively for musculoskeletal concerns. The average number of visits per individual was 5.4 (sd = 7.6). Broken down by gender women made 7.1 (sd = 9.3) visits, and men 4.6 (sd = 6.6) visits. Most did not fill in the “occupation section” and only a third of those who responded were in labour positions. The number of treatments rendered without any remuneration from Alberta Health Care (ABHC) totalled to 420-47 treatments were to out of province claimants, 36 to those with no health care coverage whatsoever and the rest, 337 to those who claimed to have an ABHC number.