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Portland-area surgeons and retired neurosurgeon urge preserving chiropractors' role in workers' compensation care
Summary
Two public commenters — retired neurosurgeon Daryl Brett and orthopedic spine surgeon Kendrick Ku — told MLAC that chiropractors are frequently the point of entry for spine and neck injuries and that wider recognition as treating clinicians could improve access and reduce unnecessary escalation of care.
Daryl Brett, a retired neurosurgeon who said he performed roughly 25,000 surgeries during a 42-year career, told the committee he has worked closely with chiropractors and views them as experienced clinicians for spine, neck and back conditions. "I think the chiropractors do an excellent job," Brett said, noting his experience working with PAs and nurse practitioners and asserting chiropractors' greater focus on spine care.
Kendrick Ku, a private-practice orthopedic spine surgeon in the Portland area, added that most accepted workers' compensation claims he sees are uncomplicated musculoskeletal conditions that chiropractors are trained to diagnose and manage. Ku said expanding recognition of chiropractors as treating physicians could improve timely access to conservative, noninvasive care and reduce delays in transferring care between providers, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Both commenters asked the committee to preserve chiropractors' ability to provide care within workers' compensation while noting any extension beyond initial time or visit limits should remain subject to scope limitations, patient review and outcome expectations.
