Perceived effects of the delisting of chiropractic services from the Ontario Health Insurance Plan on practice activities: a survey of chiropractors in Toronto, Ontario

The purpose of this study was to survey a random sample of Toronto chiropractors and gather their perceptions of the effects that the delisting of chiropractic services from OHIP had on their practices profiles. A survey was mailed to 199 chiropractors who were asked to disclose demographic information, if they were in practice at the time when OHIP coverage was in effect, the perceived effect OHIP delisting had on their patient volumes, income, the profession's credibility and if they would be in favor of having OHIP reinstated. Among the 123 respondents in practice during OHIP coverage (n = 92), 48.9% indicated they perceived their practice income and 36.6% perceived their patient volume was negatively affected; 57.5% reported both had subsequently recovered. Almost 50% perceived OHIP delisting negatively affected the profession's credibility and 46.1% of respondents were in favor of it being reinstated for chiropractic services; this percentage was much higher among chiropractors who were not in practice during the time of OHIP coverage. Most chiropractors reported that patient volumes and incomes have returned to pre-delisting levels and few chiropractors who were in practice during OHIP coverage expressed interest in having it reinstated.