Physicians and Chiropractors Value Teamwork, Yet Québec Clinics Still Rely

In Quebec multidisciplinary clinics where physicians and chiropractors work under the same roof, both professions generally value collaboration—but a mixed-methods study finds it relies mainly on personal relationships rather than formal structures. Published in Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, the study surveyed 23 chiropractors and 19 physicians and then followed up with interviews and a focus group. Among physicians, 68% referred patients to chiropractors at least monthly, largely driven by established relationships (53%), patient requests (47%), and supporting evidence for certain conditions (37%). Yet chiropractors reported a median of only 7.5% of their referrals coming from physicians. Formal joint activities were uncommon, while unplanned weekly in-person discussions were more typical. Attitudes were positive overall, but views on neck manipulation safety and liability risks were split.