title: Consumer characteristics and perceptions of chiropractic and chiropractic services in Australia: results from a cross-sectional survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to describe patient characteristics and summarize their perceptions of chiropractic in Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is part of a broader study aiming to extend the knowledge of the role of chiropractic within the current health care environment. A 33-item, paper-based, cross-sectional survey of a sample of patients from 100 systematically sampled chiropractic clinics from all the states and territories of Australia was conducted. The survey focused on patient demographics, socioeconomic status, perceived health status, and perceptions of chiropractic and chiropractic services.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 486 responses were received (24.3% response rate). Respondents were predominantly female patients (67.1%) of the 45- to 64-year age group. Approximately half of the respondents reported a pretax annual income exceeding $40000. Most patients sought chiropractic services because of musculoskeletal disorders (68.7%) and for general health (21.2%), and personal beliefs motivated most respondents (70.2%) to visit a chiropractor. Most respondents would seek the chiropractic services again (97.5%) and were satisfied with the service received.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study show that the typical chiropractic patient in Australia is a middle-aged woman with a moderate to high income. Although only a small proportion of the Australian population sees a chiropractor, this group seems to be satisfied with the service.
authors.affiliation: Associate Lecturer, Department of Chiropractic, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia.. Electronic address: benjamin.brown@mq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Benjamin T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, School of Health Professions, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Rod
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bonello
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Chiropractic, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Caamano
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Chiropractic, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Sharyn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eaton
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Statistics, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Petra L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Statistics, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Hilary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D026882:Manipulation, Chiropractic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Chiropractic; Health Services; Patients; Social Perception