An Analysis of the Integration of Chiropractic Services Within the United States Military and Veterans' Health Care Systems

ObjectivesThe purpose of this article is to compare chiropractic integration within the health care systems of the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs and to identify practices and policies that may either support or challenge the extent of chiropractic integration within those systems.MethodsAs subject matter experts and providers within these systems, our team reviewed enacted legislation, policies, and the literature pertinent to chiropractic practice in Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, and identified opportunities and threats pertinent to integration.ResultsWe identified 9 areas wherein potential opportunities and threats to integration existed, including legislative history, programmatic growth, leadership structure, employment status of providers, clinical work duties, patient access, patient demographics, academic affiliations, and research.ConclusionThese findings provide a higher level of understanding regarding the current state and future direction of chiropractic service integration within these integrated health care systems.