Characteristics of chiropractors and their patients in Belgium.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to describe the characteristics, practice characteristics, and opinions of chiropractors and the sociodemographic characteristics and the type of complaint of patients presenting to chiropractors in Belgium. METHODS In 2008, all doctors of chiropractic in Belgium (N = 101) were asked to provide personal sociodemographic and practice-specific information via postal questionnaires. The participating practitioners presented written questionnaires to a maximum of 10 consecutive patients to collect sociodemographic and clinical data on the patients. Descriptive analyses were used. RESULTS In total, 80 doctors of chiropractic (79.2%, n = 80/101) participated, providing information on 517 patients. Belgian doctors of chiropractic are predominantly male (75%), have a mean age of 44 (SD = 14) years, and have been in practice for 18 years on average. They typically treat neck and/or low back pain with or without radiating pain (85% of all complaints). Patients have a mean age of 43 (SD = 16.4) years, 54% are female, and most patients are employed (70%). Patients present with musculoskeletal complaints of moderate intensity, averaging 5 on a 0 to 10 numeric rating scale. Chiropractors spend, on average, 36 minutes on a new patient and 15 minutes on follow-up consultations. Diversified technique (93%) is the most often used technique, followed by mechanical-assisted (Activator) spinal manipulative therapy (41%). Ergonomic advice and instruction in exercise therapy are most often used in conjunction with spinal manipulative therapy. Most chiropractors would like to have the legal authority to request diagnostic imaging (87%). CONCLUSIONS This is the first study describing doctors of chiropractic and their patients in Belgium. Chiropractors in Belgium primarily focus on the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints in adults, with emphasis on the spine. Patients presenting to the chiropractor consult with musculoskeletal complaints of moderate intensity that moderately affect their activities of daily living.