Soc Sci Med. 1988 ; 26(8): 785-92.

The place of chiropractors in health care delivery: a case study of North Carolina.

Gesler WM.

Department of Geography, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27514.

Three perspectives on the place of DCs in the United States health care delivery system were derived from the social science literature; system status, cultural congruence, and utilization patterns. North Carolina was used as a case study site to examine these perspectives from a geographical point of view. It was found that DCs were located in smaller places than MDs. DC/population ratios were associated with white populations and higher incomes, but were not associated with those aged 18-64, rural populations, and religious groups that used touch in healing. DCs were located in more rural and lower income areas than were MDs.