2026 McAndrews Lecture - Unlocking Chiropractic's Full Potential: Tactics for a Changing Healthcare Landscape

Presentation Summary: A substantial body of high-quality research demonstrates the value of chiropractic care. Clinical practice guidelines consistently recommend the services provided by doctors of chiropractic (DC) as a first-line option for spinal disorders and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Increasingly, medical physicians and other healthcare professionals seek to collaborate with DCs. As has been the case for over a century, patients report high satisfaction with their chiropractic experiences.  

Despite the near universal recognition of the benefits of chiropractic care, administrative burden and persistently low reimbursement has pushed many practices to the brink of economic viability with patients experiencing the consequences of less access to high-value musculoskeletal care.  While worthwhile, additional practice guidelines and research are not sufficient catalysts for change. Without changes to how practices are organized, the technology supporting practices, and the systems that govern payment and network participation, such efforts are unlikely to meaningfully improve DCs’ ability to achieve the healthcare quadruple aim and sustainably care for more people. 

We are at a pivotal time for the chiropractic profession, with both significant challenges and opportunities. The goal of this lecture is to describe the strategies and tactics DCs must prioritize to capitalize on current opportunities and realize their full potential as an essential part of an effective, efficient, and patient-centered healthcare system. 

Despite the near universal recognition of the benefits of chiropractic care, administrative burden and persistently low reimbursement has pushed many practices to the brink of economic viability with patients experiencing the consequences of less access to high-value musculoskeletal care.  While worthwhile, additional practice guidelines and research are not sufficient catalysts for change. Without changes to how practices are organized, the technology supporting practices, and the systems that govern payment and network participation, such efforts are unlikely to meaningfully improve DCs’ ability to achieve the healthcare quadruple aim and sustainably care for more people. 

We are at a pivotal time for the chiropractic profession, with both significant challenges and opportunities. The goal of this lecture is to describe the strategies and tactics DCs must prioritize to capitalize on current opportunities and realize their full potential as an essential part of an effective, efficient, and patient-centered healthcare system. 

CE credit is not available for this session.