As part of their 1998 chiropractic advertising campaign, the Alliance for Chiropractic Progress has asked Prevention magazine to do a survey of their readers. The reader survey is designed to give a "before" and "after" look at what Prevention readers currently believe about doctors of chiropractic and what effect this advertising campaign has on those beliefs.
Who Responded?
The response rate was 67%, most of whom were women (91%). The age breakdown was:
| Age | % |
| 18-24 | <1% |
| 25-34 | 4% |
| 35-44 | 22% |
| 45-54 | 37% |
| 55 & Older | 37% |
Level of Education Required
Only 13% of the respondents recognized the requirement of "more than 6 years of college level study." Over 30% didn't know what level of education a DC has:
What level of education is required to earn the degree of doctor of chiropractic?
| Years of College Level Study | % |
| Less than 2 years | 2% |
| 2 Years | 7% |
| 3 Years | 2% |
| 4 Years | 21% |
| 6 Years | 24% |
| More than 6 Years | 13% |
| Don't Know | 31% |
Requirements to Open a Practice
More than 50% of the respondents knew all that a DC must go through to open a chiropractic practice. But again, almost 30% don't know:
| Requirement | % |
| Obtain a degree, pass a national board exam and state licensing exam | 51% |
| Pass a state licensing exam | 22% |
| Present the degree and obtain a license | 20% |
| Nothing, no license required | 2% |
| Don't Know | 28% |
Considering a DC for Back/Neck Pain
Over 36% of respondents "definitely would consider seeing a Doctor of Chiropractic." But over 30% definitely or probably wouldn't:
| Would Considering Seeing a DC? | % |
| Definitely Would | 36% |
| Probably Would | 32% |
| Probably Would Not | 22% |
| Definitely Would Not | 10% |
Do DCs Utilize Drugs and Surgery?
Only 65% of the respondents knew that doctors of chiropractic do NOT utilize drugs or surgery. Over 30% thought they do, or didn't know:
| Utilize Drugs and Surgery | % |
| No | 65% |
| Yes | 13% |
| Don't Know | 22% |
Chiropractic Colleges vs. Medical Schools - Basic Sciences
Education seems to be the area where DCs are most underrated. Only 8% of the respondents knew that "chiropractic colleges have more classroom hours in basic science" than medical schools:
| Which has more basic science hours? | % |
| Medical Schools Have More | 21% |
| About the Same | 25% |
| Chiropractic Colleges Have More | 8% |
| Basic Science Not Offered in Chiropractic College | 1% |
| Don't Know | 45% |
This survey provides important information about what people who are health conscious know about chiropractic. One message is clear: Approximately 30% don't know anything about the qualifications of a doctor of chiropractic. The question is whether this advertising campaign can effectively inform and change what people think about the qualifications of chiropractors.
