Positive Health Online

Abstract

SIMPSON, University of Queensland, Sociology Department, Australia writes that in Queensland, Australia, patients suffering work-related injuries must be referred by a general medical practitioner (GP) in order to receive treatment from "nontraditional" practitioners such as physiotherapists, chiropractors or osteopaths, despite the fact that these nontraditional practitioners are primary care provides outside of the workers' compensation system.

Background

The Chiropractors' Association of Australia (CAAQ) surmised that workers injured and who wished to receive chiropractic treatment had little chance of obtaining a medical referral; however the General Manager of the Workers' Compensation Board of Queensland maintained that injured workers had little trouble obtaining such a referral.

Methodology

The author conducted a descriptive study in order to canvass GP attitudes and referral patterns to chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapists and other nontraditional practitioners such as naturopaths. A questionnaire was mailed to 1509 GPs, representing 50% of all GPs in private practice in Queensland.

Results

The response rate was 52%. 784 questionnaires were returned - 638 male and 142 female GPs. The respondents were aged from 27-79 years and had been in practice from 1-55 years. The survey indicated that attitudes and referral patterns were distinctly different, depending upon the nontraditional practitioner group in question.

Conclusion

The results of the survey confirm that GPs are highly unlikely to have professional relationships with chiropractors and osteopaths, including the referral of patients to such practitioners, even if the patient requests such a referral . Additionally, GPs are much more likely to have professional dealings with physiotherapist than with any of the other nontraditional groups considered.

References

Simpson JK. A study of referral patterns among Queensland general medical practitioners to chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapists and others. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 21(4): 225-31 May 1998.