• Derbyshire S
• Field J
• Vennik J
• Sanders M
• Newell D

• Affiliation / AECC University College
• Affiliation / Private Practice
• Affiliation / University of Southampton. Centre for Primary Care and Population Science
• Affiliation(G) / England / Bournemouth
• Affiliation(G) / England / Norwich
• Affiliation(G) / England / Southampton
• Coronavirus
• COVID-19
• Health Surveys
• Musculoskeletal Abnormalities
• Open Access Document
• Qualitative Research
• Remote Consultation
• Surveys and Questionnaires / United Kingdom
• Telemedicine

Background: Remote consultations (RCs) enable clinicians to continue to support patients when face-to-face appointments are not possible. Restrictions to face-to-face care during the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated a pre-existing trend for their adoption. This is true for many health professionals including some chiropractors. Whilst most chiropractors in the UK have used RCs in some form during the pandemic, others have not. This study seeks to understand the views of chiropractors not using RCs and to explore perceived potential barriers.

Methods: A national online survey was completed by 534 registered practicing UK chiropractors on the use of RCs. Respondents had the opportunity of providing open-ended responses concerning lack of engagement in RCs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Textual responses obtained from 137 respondents were coded and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: The use of RCs provided an opportunity for chiropractors to deliver ongoing care during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many chiropractors expressed concern that RCs misaligned with their strong professional identity of providing ‘hands-on’ care. Some chiropractors also perceived that patients expected physical interventions during chiropractic care and thus considered a lack of demand when direct contact is not possible. In the absence of a physical examination, some chiropractors had concerns about potential misdiagnosis, and perceived lack of diagnostic information with which to guide treatment. Clinic closures and change in working environment led to practical difficulties of providing remote care for a few chiropractors.

Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic may have accelerated changes in the way healthcare is provided with RCs becoming more commonplace in primary healthcare provision. This paper highlights perceived barriers which may lead to reduced utilisation of RCs by chiropractors, some of which appear fundamental to their perceived identity, whilst others are likely amenable to change with training and experience.

Author keywords: Remote consultation — Chiropractic —  Survey —  COVID-19 —  Coronavirus —  Telehealth —  Telemedicine —  Musculoskeletal —  Qualitative analysis

Author affiliations: SD: Private Practice, Norwich, United Kingdom; JF, JV, DN: Centre for Primary Care and Population Studies, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; MS: AECC University College, Bournemouth, United Kingdom
Corresponding author: Shane Derbyshire—shane@fitmotionchiro.co.uk

This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher; click on the above link for free full text.  Online access only. PubMed Record | PDF