NWHSU Publishes First-of-Its-Kind Research on Chiropractic in FQHCs
The Center for Healthcare Innovation and Policy (CHIP) team at Northwestern Health Sciences University (NWHSU) conducted first-of-its-kind research investigating the role of chiropractic in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in the United States, with generous support from the NCMIC Foundation.
The article, Chiropractic Services and Employment Characteristics within U.S. Federally Qualified Health Centers: Cross-Sectional Survey, was published in the Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine. CHIP team members Drs. Andrea Albertson, Michele Maiers, and Chuck Sawyer were authors on the paper, along with recent NWHSU graduate Holli Kells.
Supporting Advocacy for Greater Inclusion of Chiropractic in FQHCs
The study team is hopeful that this research will support growth of chiropractic within FQHC systems. Results suggest that patient demand is present, and chiropractic services can support the overall mission of FQHCs.
“There is a clear value proposition for chiropractors to be part of the healthcare delivery team in FQHCs,” said Andrea Albertson, DC, policy and research associate at NWHSU. “We are excited to use this research to inform future policy work to advocate for greater inclusion of chiropractic in FQHCs.”
Chiropractors in FQHCs
Key findings from the survey include:
- 233 DCs work full or part-time in 146 of 1537 (9.5%) FQHC systems in the US.
- Chiropractors report various pathways to employment with an FQHC, including being approached by the FQHC (37%), responding to a job posting (22%) and contacting the FQHC to express interest in the absence of a job posting (14%)
- 42% use a language other than English with FQHC patients, most commonly Spanish.
- 45% are getting their educational loans forgiven through the U.S. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
The most rewarding aspects of working at an FQHC
Chiropractors surveyed reported the following as the most rewarding aspects of working at an FQHC:
- offering chiropractic care to a population that might not otherwise be able to afford or access services
- ability to serve the community
- delivering positive patient outcomes in co-morbid populations
- educate patients and influence others’ perceptions of chiropractic.
Why Offer Chiropractic in FQHCs?
According to FQHC administrators and provider colleagues, the value proposition of chiropractic to an FQHC system includes:
Patient benefits:
- Meet patient demand for in-house non-pharmacological treatment options
- Increased access to care
- High patient satisfaction and positive patient outcomes
- Less need for invasive interventions
Provider collaboration benefits:
- Decreased burden on primary care by managing musculoskeletal complaints
- Decreased patient wait time, immediate referrals, and care coordination
- Expertise to the team in musculoskeletal pain management
- Evidence-based alternate to pain medications and surgery
System benefits:
- Holistic patient care and integrative care delivery model
- Non-opioid strategy for pain management
- Additional knowledge and skillset to complement existing care teams
- Often cost-neutral or positive revenue for the clinic
The research team is grateful to all participants who participated in online surveys and interviews.