Dear Members of the Chiropractors Council of Hong Kong,
I am writing to you on behalf of the Chiropractic Doctors Association of Hong Kong to bring your attention to a pressing issue affecting our profession. We recently conducted a study to investigate the utilization, challenges, and attitudes of chiropractors in Hong Kong towards laboratory testing and radiological imaging. The findings reveal that a significant proportion of chiropractors are frequently facing rejection of their referrals for diagnostic tests and imaging, which adversely impacts the quality of care they can provide to their patients.
Our cross-sectional survey was conducted and involved 151 registered chiropractors, representing a response rate of 46.5%. The results indicate that chiropractors in Hong Kong actively utilize laboratory testing and radiological imaging for diagnosis, monitoring of existing conditions, and disease progression. However, high rejection rates for specific imaging requests lead to patient frustration, increased costs, and delayed diagnosis. Despite these challenges, our respondents demonstrated a strong belief in evidence-based practice and a willingness to incorporate relevant literature into their daily practice.
Chiropractors in Hong Kong are facing high rate of rejection in referrals. In light of these findings, we urge the Chiropractors Council of Hong Kong to take the necessary steps to address this issue and facilitate better communication and collaboration with other regulatory professionals, including the boards and associations of radiographers, radiologists, and laboratory technicians. It is essential to ensure that chiropractors' referrals are fully accepted to enable them to provide optimal care to their patients.
We strongly believe that enhancing access to diagnostic tests and working towards reducing rejection rates will play a pivotal role in supporting chiropractors' role as primary healthcare providers in Hong Kong. By fostering collaborative efforts among chiropractors, healthcare professionals, healthcare facilities, policymakers, and insurance companies, we can effectively address the challenges identified in our study and improve patient care outcomes.
We look forward to working closely with the Chiropractors Council of Hong Kong to address this issue and continuously advance the chiropractic patient's benefit in our region.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Dr. Eric Chun-Pu Chu, BSc, DC, PhD, FRCC (ortho),
Chairman, Chiropractic Doctors Association of Hong Kong