Abstract
Aim: The chiropractic profession is based on a patient’s individual needs, with the purpose of effectively treating that patient and achieving the desired outcome. In order to understand the needs of each patient, it is imperative to determine the type of patients that seek chiropractic care. Since the chiropractic profession has been established, a variety of descriptive and demographic studies have been done in an attempt to understand the development of the profession. Specifically, knowledge on patient health and the type of cases presenting to the chiropractic students are essential for the development and growth of the Chiropractic Clinic at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
The aim of this study was thus to determine the diagnosed conditions and treatment frequency of the patients presenting to the Chiropractic Clinic at UJ between the 1st of January 2016 and the 31st of July 2016.
Method: A retrospective descriptive study was utilised, where an analysis on the following variables was conducted: patients’ age, their main complaint and diagnosis on the initial consultation, the prevalence of musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal complaints, treatment protocol and the number of consultations that the patient required to achieve the desired outcome.
The variables were obtained by collecting the information from the clinic’s patient files for the first six months of 2016. The information was then analysed and processed in order to determine the conditions patients present with to the clinic as well as the treatment frequency of these patients. This study was conducted in accordance with the Human Rights legislation and in compliance with the ethical code implemented by UJ. Before information was utilised, it was ensured that all patient files...
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)