Improving Access to Chiropractic Care in Community Health Centers (NCT06104605)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
The goal of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of new implementation strategies designed to increase the number of Primary Care Providers (PCPs) referrals to chiropractic care for lower back pain (LBP) in underserved populations. The investigators plan to pilot the strategies in three qualified community health centers (CHCs) and compare the number of LBP patients who receive referrals before and after implementation. The implementation strategies involve PCP, patient, and organizational interventions. Patients presenting with LBP will be provided educational materials that focus on the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care as an evidence-based treatment for LBP. Materials will be available in CHC common areas and may be sent to patients by their PCP via patient portal. PCPs will participate in interactive lunch seminars to allow for inter-professional learning for PCPs. They will also participate in a survey regarding their attitudes and beliefs relating to chiropractic care. Currently, many PCPs cannot make chiropractic care referrals in the electronic health record (EHR). The investigators plan to add this option, or make it easier if the referral is already available. This multi-level, multi-component approach will last two months, and will be rolled out sequentially in three clinics using a stepped-wedge design. The ordering of clinics will be random. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients with LBP who received a referral to chiropractic care before and after the intervention. Secondary outcomes include referral to any non-pharmacologic treatment, use of imaging, and prescribed medications.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (8 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (4 items).
Location: Boston Medical Center — Boston, Massachusetts
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion criteria for CHCs:
- There are no exclusion criteria Exclusion criteria for PCPs:
- There are no exclusion criteria Exclusion criteria for patients with LBP:
- There are no exclusion criteria for adult patients with LBP
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Boston Medical Center — Boston, Massachusetts
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.