News
Survey Conducted by Health Benchmarks Reveals High Patient Satisfaction with Chiropractic Treatment
Woodland Hills, CA (July 29, 2003) -- American Specialty Health Members Report Widespread Satisfaction with Overall Care and Chiropractic Plan Services.
A survey conducted by Health Benchmarks(R) (HBI) among patients who had accessed chiropractic care through subsidiaries of American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) found high levels of satisfaction (95%) associated with the overall quality of chiropractic care and services made available through ASH subsidiaries, American Specialty Health Plans of California, Inc. (ASH Plans) and American Specialty Health Networks, Inc. (ASH Networks).
The survey, aimed at measuring patient experience between January and December 2002, was mailed to a sample of persons nationwide who had accessed chiropractic services during 2002 through programs available through ASH Plans and ASH Networks. When asked to report intent to recommend ASH to family or friends who needed care, nearly 90% of the 1,750 total survey respondents indicated that they would be likely to do so. In addition, 92% of respondents reported that the chiropractor was at least somewhat effective in treating the individual's medical condition.
"The very favorable response to overall indicators of satisfaction and high reported levels of perceived effectiveness of chiropractic treatment, indicates that patients are benefiting from chiropractic services," said Allison Green, HBI Consultant. "Patient self-report findings such as these provide additional support for the role of chiropractic benefits in today's heath plan offerings."
While respondents indicated a variety of reasons for having visited a chiropractor covered by ASH's network in the previous year, a significant number of respondents revealed that they had a medical condition they thought the chiropractor could treat (67%), they had successfully used a chiropractor before (52%), and wanted to avoid taking prescription medications (31%).
According to Helen Chernicoff, M.D., M.S.H.S., HBI's Vice President of Research and Development, "Independent research initiatives to ascertain patient satisfaction and perceived health benefits are essential to identifying high-performing areas and those which may benefit from customized interventions. This approach is essential for plans seeking to develop competitive benefit structures in today's market."
The 2002 American Specialty Health chiropractic survey, distributed to over 8,000 members nationally, measured six main components related to overall satisfaction:
- Health Care
- ASH Administration
- Management of Care
- Convenience
- Longitudinal Quality of Care
- Chiropractic Choice
Health Benchmarks(R) provides scientifically based, real-world studies for pharmaceutical companies, managed care organizations, large employers, and physician groups. HBI's team of Ph.D.-level clinicians, biostatisticians, programmers, and health services researchers translates raw health care data into effective solutions for leading pharmaceutical and health care companies. Please visit www.healthbenchmarks.com or call 1-800-465-6575 for more information.
CONTACT: Health Benchmarks®
Allison Green, 818-676-2842
Fax: 818-715-9934
agreen@healthbenchmarks.com
www.healthbenchmarks.com