Attitudes Toward Medication Prescription Rights: A Survey of Chiropractic Students and Faculty at D'Youville College.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the general attitudes of students and faculty in the chiropractic department of D'Youville College, Buffalo, New York, toward the inclusion of medication prescription rights in the chiropractic scope of practice.

Methods: A 15-item questionnaire was adapted from a previous instrument used in assessing chiropractors' opinions toward medication prescription rights. Invitations were sent by e-mail to all 123 chiropractic students and faculty at D'Youville College in September 2018. Data were collected and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: A total of 113 questionnaires were completed for a 92% response rate. Ninety percent of respondents agreed that chiropractors should be authorized to prescribe medications such as over-the-counter and prescription-based analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxants. Respondents were less in favor of chiropractors prescribing opioids or having full prescribing rights. Over half indicated that their knowledge of musculoskeletal medications was high, whereas a similar number indicated that their knowledge of nonmusculoskeletal medications was low. Most respondents indicated that further education in pharmacology should be necessary for those in the profession wishing to prescribe medications.

Conclusion: Chiropractic students and faculty at D'Youville College endorsed expanding the chiropractic scope of practice to include limited medication prescription. Surveys and qualitative studies of students and faculty from other chiropractic educational institutions are warranted.