Eight of 17 contracts awarded were for primary care reminder computer programs. The data base will provide the average family with the ability to describe each member in sufficient detail to receive a primary care management plan consistent with their descriptions for scheduling appointments with health care providers. Without viable practice guidelines, inclusion as primary care providers and involvement in the development in these types of patient primary care reminder systems, chiropractic care could be eliminated with the push of a button on your patient's home computer. This is where chiropractic can really shine. All we need is the research necessary to prove our place in preventative health care.
Computers are in the process of revolutionizing health care.
It won't be too long before they begin preliminary diagnoses of family members and making appointments. There has never been a more critical time in our history for chiropractic research to show our effectiveness in other areas besides musculoskeletal. These computer programs will be based on the scientific literature. The chiropractic profession must make an all-out effort now, while many of the factors that will affect our future are still on the drawing board. Don't let your patient's computer database tell them that chiropractic care isn't appropriate for anything other than low back care.