Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Background: Currently there is a lack of knowledge on the impact of COVID-19 and the subsequent economic downturn of chiropractic in the Western Cape province. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the kind of economic impact that the COVID-19 lockdown had had on chiropractors in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Method: This was a quantitative study that utilized an anonymous self-administered online survey that was accessed by registered chiropractors in the Western Cape province via email through a link. Membership databases of the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) and the Chiropractic Association of South Africa (CASA) were utilised for the distribution of the survey. The survey consisted of 3 different sections and totalled 28 questions that took 5-10 minutes to complete. Procedure: An email including the information letter was sent out via the AHPCSA and CASA databases to registered chiropractors in the Western Cape province. If the chiropractor was willing to participate, he/she clicked on the link provided and was redirected to the QuestionPro website to answer the survey anonymously. Results: The response rate was 20% (n=26). This study revealed that most chiropractors (92.31%, n=24) in the Western Cape had an overwhelming decrease in average number of patients per week during lockdown, with an average decrease of 54.7% (n=35). These same participants experienced a significant decrease in their gross monthly income during the lockdown. Before lockdown, 76.92% (n=20) of participants were earning above R30 000 gross income a month while during lockdown 65.38% (n=17) were earning below R30 000, leading to an increase of 42.3% (n=11) of participants earning below R30 000 a month. Furthermore, this study revealed that 84.6% (n=22) experienced an exceeding increase in expenditure towards PPE, 32% (n=8) needed to access their personal savings in order to survive financially and 91.67% (n=11) reported an increase in the number of outstanding invoices...