Table 5

PCP referral patterns to DCs (Multivariable analysis)

Predictor Variables

Have you ever recommended patient see a DC? OR (95% CI)

Do you recommend patient contacts DC on own or initiate formal referral? OR (95% CI)

Have you ever referred patient to DC for evaluation or treatment? OR (95% CI)

Have you accepted referral from a DC? OR (95% CI)

Has a DC obtained clinical information or advice via curbside consultation OR (95% CI)

Have you obtained clinical information or advice from a DC via curbside consultation? OR (95% CI)

Men

1.21 (0.75 – 1.93)

1.21 (0.53 – 2.79)

1.00 (0.58 – 1.73)

1.67 (1.04 – 2.67) ^¶

1.80 (0.98 – 3.29)

0.63 (0.29 – 1.41)

MD

1.12 (0.69 – 1.82)

0.83 (0.34 – 2.02)

1.33 (0.75 – 2.35)

0.27 (0.15 – 0.49)^¶

0.47 (0.28 – 0.79) ^¶

0.67 (0.31 – 1.44)

Age

1.01 (0.94 – 1.07)

0.94 (0.85 – 1.03)

1.01 (0.94 – 1.08)

0.96 (0.90 – 1.02)

0.97 (0.91 – 1.04)

1.00 (0.91 – 1.10)

Time Since Graduation

0.97 (0.92 – 1.03)

1.07 (0.98 – 1.18)

0.99 (0.93 – 1.05)

1.03 (0.97 – 1.10)

1.01 (0.95 – 1.08)

0.99 (0.90 – 1.09)

Private Practice

2.00 (1.16 – 3.45)^¶

1.65 (0.56 – 4.81)

1.58 (0.79 – 3.17)

1.83 (1.05 – 3.19) ^¶

2.20 (0.92 – 5.24)

1.65 (0.45 – 6.01)

Internal Medicine

0.63 (0.39 – 1.02)

1.00 (0.37 – 2.67)

0.80 (0.43 – 1.47)

0.72 (0.44 – 1.18)

0.62 (0.31 – 1.21)

0.94 (0.37 – 2.38)

Metropolitan County

1.03 (0.68 – 1.57)

1.12 (0.51 – 2.44)

1.45 (0.90 – 2.31)

0.75 (0.49 – 1.14)

0.74 (0.45 – 1.21)

0.55 (0.25 – 1.17)

Number of cases in Final Model

495

313

417

491

493

488

Model-Fit (p-value)

0.12

0.48

0.09

0.96

0.78

0.76

¶ – Statistically significant at p < 0.05 level.

DC = Chiropractor

PCP = Primary Care Physician

Greene et al. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2006 6:5   doi:10.1186/1472-6882-6-5