Patient Perceptions About Chiropractors and Primary Care

Patient perceptions in New Mexico about doctors of chiropractic functioning as primary care providers with limited prescriptive authority.

Abstract available at: http://www.journalchiromed.com/article/S1556-3707(10)00148-3/abstract

Background: Chiropractors and Primary Care in New Mexico

Editor's note, 2026: New Mexico is one of the few U.S. states where chiropractic physicians who complete additional training and certification can register as advanced practice chiropractic physicians with a limited formulary. Under the state's rules, that formulary centers on substances such as over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and minerals, and herbal and homeopathic medicines rather than the full range of prescription drugs. The study summarized above asked New Mexico patients how they viewed doctors of chiropractic taking on this kind of expanded, primary-care-oriented role.

Whatever the scope of practice in a given state, patients benefit when chiropractors and medical doctors communicate and refer to each other. To learn how chiropractic fits alongside other care, read Integrate Yourself with Mainstream Medicine, Chiropractor vs. Physical Therapist and Your First Chiropractic Visit.