Published: 2009-10-21 17:39:14
Author: Robert Cooperstein | Dynamic Chiropractic | October 7, 2009
According to a 2003 article in Dynamic Chiropractic, "Despite a century of debate by chiropractic leaders, a new university-based survey of North America's practicing doctors of chiropractic reveals a surprising degree of unity on most issues.
Published by the Institute for Social Research at Ohio Northern University, the probability survey discloses overwhelming agreement on key issues such as the vertebral subluxation, the adjustment and the appropriateness of a broad array of clinical services."1,2 And another survey, this one conducted by the National Board of Chiropractors (NBCE) for its Job Analysis 2005, also suggests fundamental agreement on treatment procedures, in that 96.2 percent of doctors utilize diversified adjustive procedures on 71.5 percent of their patients.3
Based on surveys such as these, I am quite certain that the working technique repertoire of most chiropractors is fairly similar, including both adjustive and diagnostic procedures. Having personally met most of the chiropractic college technique department chairs, as well as having served on NBCE technique committees for many years, I have a pretty good sense of what is being taught at chiropractic colleges in North America. Although the terminology and emphases vary, all contemporary chiropractic students acquire a basic repertoire of adjustive and patient assessment procedures, including but not limited to palpation.
On top of this basic repertoire that all chiropractic students learn, individual chiropractors distinguish themselves by acquiring skills or developing protocols that lie somewhat outside this basic repertoire. This may take the form of a diplomate program and degree, certification in a proprietary technique system, utilization of specialized treatment or diagnostic equipment, development of specialized management protocols for one or more identified patient conditions, or customized development and enhancement of otherwise mainstream technique procedures.
In part, we are motivated to
acquire distinguishing skills and attributes in order to perform well
in the chiropractic marketplace, which includes many "competing brands"
of chiropractors and chiropractic services. More importantly, I would
like to think we acquire these distinguishing skills and attributes in
order to promote improved patient outcomes and outperform what we find
in that basic repertoire the colleges offer.