Use of Remote Consultations by Chiropractors in the United Kingdom During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey

TL;DR

This study surveyed UK chiropractors about their use of remote consultations during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contribution

It provides the first survey-based insights into how a traditionally hands-on profession adapted to remote care during lockdowns.

Findings

67.2% of chiropractors used remote consultations during the first UK lockdown, including video and phone options.

Only 52.5% of respondents felt confident in delivering remote consultations.

58.6% planned to continue using remote consultations even after restrictions were lifted.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the use of remote consultations (RCs) by chiropractors in the United Kingdom.

All registered practicing UK chiropractors were invited to participate in an online survey during part of the first UK national lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2020 to June 2020). This survey collected information on 1) chiropractor demographics, 2) use of RCs by chiropractors, and 3) chiropractors’ views of RCs. Descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-squared and Spearman’s Rho) were used to analyze the data.

The response rate was 17.1% (534/3131). A third of respondents (32.5%) had been using RCs (telephone) prior to the pandemic. Two-thirds (67.2%) used RCs during the first lockdown period and included uptake of video consultations (6.6%), phone consultations (30%), or a combination of video and phone (30.7%). A majority (58.6%) responded that they planned to continue RCs after practice restrictions were lifted. Under half (47.8%) gave their opinion that RCs would not be as effective as face-to-face care, a similar proportion (50.1%) stated they were engaging their patients with active care more than typical. Only around a half of the respondents (52.5%) were confident in carrying out RCs.

This survey provides preliminary data on RCs delivered by UK chiropractors - a traditionally ‘hands-on’ profession. Both telephone and video RCs increased during the first UK national lockdown but confidence in carrying out RCs and impressions of their effectiveness was mixed.

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