In a scientific survey of 1,000 randomly selected registered Kansas voters, 97% correctly concluded that the title "chiropractic physician" refers to a chiropractic doctor.

Basis for the Survey

During the last two sessions of the Kansas legislature, the Kansas Chiropractic Association (KCA) has attempted to pass legislation that would authorize Kansas chiropractic licensees to use the title "chiropractic physician." After the Kansas house of representatives passed legislation (by a vote of 94 to 25) authorizing use of the title, the Kansas senate narrowly defeated the measure in 1997 and again in 1998.

After the vote, a few senators said that their basis for opposing the measure was informal constituent "polls" indicating the public was "confused" by the title "chiropractic physician." The KCA decided a scientific survey was necessary to determine if that claim was true or not.

Findings

Based on the fact that 97% (491 out of 506) respondents correctly identified a "chirorpactic physician" as a chiropractic doctor, the survey clearly documents that the public is not at all "confused" by the title.

The survey also found that the public is not confused about when it is appropriate to consult with chiropractic physicians. Only one person (out of 503) answered that he or she would most likely consult with a chiropractic doctor for surgery, and no one answered that he or she would most likely consult with a chiropractic doctor for medication. On the other hand, the majority indicated that they would most likely consult with a chiropractic doctor for spinal manipulation treatment.

Survey Methodology

The mail survey strictly adhered to the scientific standards developed by Don A. Dillman, PhD (senior survey methodologist at the U.S. Census Bureau) and Priscilla Salant, MA (associate in research at Washington State University) and was conducted in July/August of 1998.

The survey questionnaire was mailed to the 1,000 Kansans who were randomly selected from the Kansas secretary of state's office. The actual selection process was accomplished by having their computer select each 1,400th person from the secretary of state's database of 1,480,307 registered voters.

Five questions were developed using accepted scientific survey standards; 523 (52.3%) completed and returned their surveys, yielding a sample size sufficient for a 95% confidence level at a +/- error rate of only 3%.

Implications

The survey absolutely documents that Kansas citizens are not confused about the title "chiropractic physician" or when they should consult with a chiropractic physician. The Kansas legislature can now pass legislation authorizing use of the title without fear of the public being "confused."

For more information link to Kansas Chiropractic Association