# An explanatory mixed methods study assessing Canadian chiropractors’ attitudes and orientation toward patient-centred care

## TL;DR

This study explores Canadian chiropractors' attitudes toward patient-centered care and finds that their approach is more doctor-centered, with experience and patient load influencing more patient-centered attitudes.

## Contribution

The study is the first to evaluate attitudes of practicing chiropractors toward patient-centered care using a mixed-methods approach.

## Key findings

- Doctor-centred attitudes were prevalent among Canadian chiropractors, similar to other health professions.
- Patient load and clinical experience were significant predictors of more patient-centred attitudes.
- Interviews supported the link between greater patient exposure and more patient-centred care attitudes.

## Abstract

Patient-centred care (PCC) is considered an essential concept in twentyfirst-century healthcare; however, health care providers’ attitudes can be an important barrier or facilitator to its actual implementation. Chiropractic is frequently referred to as providing PCC. However, the attitudes of practising chiropractors towards patient-centred care have not previously been evaluated.

To explore attitudes and orientation of chiropractors towards patient-centered care.

We used a sequential explanatory mixed methods with quantitative priority study design. Data were collected from May 2018 to April 2019 from a convenience sample of Canadian chiropractors located across Canada. Quantitative data were collected by a survey consisting of demographic and clinical practice questions, and the Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS) to measure practitioner attitudes towards care delivered (range 1–6, scores < 4.57 = doctor-centred attitudes). Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis; whilst qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

We included 31 chiropractors in the study, with seven completing interviews. The mean for PPOS Overall score was 4.35 (95% CI [4.18, 4.52]) and was found to be significantly associated with years in practice and number of patients seen per week. The average PPOS Sharing and PPOS Caring scores were 4.20 (95% CI 3.95–4.45) and 4.50 (95% CI 4.35–4.66), respectively. Number of patients seen per week and per hour were significant predictors of the PPOS Sharing score; whilst years in practice was a significant predictor of PPOS Caring and Overall scores. Interview data supported the association between greater exposure to patients and more patient-centred attitudes among chiropractors.

In our sample of Canadian chiropractors, doctor-centred attitudes towards care prevailed, comparable to that reported for other health professions. The significant association between patient-centred attitudes and patient load and clinical experience suggests that chiropractors may learn such attitudes through experience. Future research to further explore chiropractors’ attitudes and orientation towards care using the PPOS or a similar instrument are required.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12998-025-00610-2.