September 23, 2014 — The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the value of chiropractic care, calls attention to a new report: “Impact of Chiropractic Services at an On-Site Health Center,” (Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine; September 2014) co-authored by Ross M. Miller, MD, MPH, medical executive, Cerner Corporation; Sylvia L. Kindermann, MPH, senior research associate, Cerner LifeSciences; and Qingjiang Hou, MS, scientist/biostatistician, Cerner LifeSciences.
The study concludes that on-site chiropractic services are associated with lower overall healthcare utilization and lower subsequent costs when compared to off-site services, and follows an earlier study, “Value of Chiropractic Services at On-site Health Centers,” which found similar advancements, plus improved functional status of musculoskeletal conditions, linked with on-site chiropractic care.
“As the nation restructures its healthcare delivery system, employers are seeking innovative solutions that maximize value,” Miller said. “The on-site corporate health center is an attractive option based on its ability to control costs and deliver quality care. Evidence suggests that companies with an on-site health center consider the inclusion of chiropractic, as it offers great potential for higher return on investment.”
The latest report concludes that on-site chiropractic services are associated with lowered utilization of radiology services, outpatient and emergency settings, and physical therapy. According to experts at the F4CP, the advantages of chiropractic inclusion span well beyond financial to include favorable patient satisfaction scores and clinical outcomes.
“Doctors of chiropractic provide evidence-based care that is both non-pharmacological and non-invasive, to effectively address common problems, such as low back pain,” Gerard Clum, DC, F4CP spokesperson, said. “By offering chiropractic on-site, employers significantly increase the opportunity for financial and clinical success.”
Low back pain is documented as one of the primary reasons for visits to U.S. healthcare providers, according to reports by both the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic.
Chiropractic care is seamlessly integrated into the complete service offering of many on-site clinics nationwide, and in one site — Standard Process Inc., a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of whole food supplements — doctors of chiropractic are positioned at the helm of care delivery.
“We established our on-site health center more than a decade ago to ensure happy and healthy employees,” Charlie DuBois, president of Standard Process, said. “Throughout the years, we have collected data and documented our experience. We are excited to share our program results, such as healthier employees, reduced healthcare costs, and improved productivity and morale. Chiropractic care has always been a core service offered and is now recognized as a chief contributor to our program’s overall success.”
To learn more about chiropractic and on-site health centers, visit: yes2chiropractic.org.
