A Brief Review of Chiropractic Educational Programs and Recommendations for Celebrating Education on Chiropractic Day.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the growth of chiropractic education globally and a chronological list of current training programs. Another purpose is to provide exemplars of enduring programs and offer suggestions for how chiropractic practitioners may celebrate education on Chiropractic Day, which is September 18. Discussion: Chiropractic education has transformed considerably over the past 125 years, and there are now 52 programs globally. We consider the 5 longest-existing chiropractic programs and propose hypotheses for what may have contributed to their durability. In addition, we offer ideas and opportunities for how chiropractic practitioners may focus on chiropractic education when celebrating the founding of the profession. Conclusion: Since its inception, chiropractic education has expanded around the world and continues to develop. Recognized accreditation agencies and testing organizations are ensuring that standards of education are established and maintained internationally. With innovation, international collaboration, and a commitment to continuous professional development, the future of chiropractic education is bright. We urge chiropractic practitioners from all over the world to celebrate these accomplishments on Chiropractic Day.

Clinical competency evaluation of Brazilian chiropractic interns.

OBJECTIVE: This study compares the results of an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) between 2 groups of students before an internship and after 6 months of clinical practice in an internship. METHODS: Seventy-two students participated, with 36 students in each cohort. The OSCEs were performed in the simulation laboratory before the participants' clinical practice internship and after 6 months of the internship. Students were tested in 9 stations for clinical skills and knowledge. The same procedures were repeated for both cohorts. The t test was used for unpaired parametric samples and Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of proportions. RESULTS: There was no difference in the mean final score between the 2 groups (p = .34 for test 1; p = .08 for test 2). The performance of the students in group 1 was not significantly different when performed before and after 6 months of clinical practice, but in group 2 there was a significant decrease in the average score after 6 months of clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the cumulative average score for the 2 groups before and after 6 months of clinical practice in the internship. There were differences within the cohorts, however, with a significant decrease in the average score in group 2. Issues pertaining to test standardization and student motivation for test 2 may have influenced the scores.

Quiropraxia / Chiropractic

Este artigo de revisão apresenta a quiropraxia, uma profissão na área da saúde que se ocupa do diagnóstico, tratamento e prevenção de condições neuromusculoesqueléticas, em especial algias vertebrais e sintomas associados. São abordadas inicialmente a definição e área da atuação, seguindo-se uma revisão da história da profissão no Brasil e no mundo. A formção profissional, que consiste de cursos superiores com quatro anos de duração é discutida. São apresentados os dois cursos superiores de Quiropraxia em atividade no Brasil, sua história e importância para a implantação da profissão no país. A avaliação biomecânica realizada por quiropraxistas é descrita, em especial técnicas de palpação articular, bem como os métodos terapêuticos utilizados por quiropraxistas, em especial a utilização de técnicas de terapia manual. A terapia de manipulação articular e seus efeitos fisiológicos são detalhados. Contra indicações e complicações são discutidos. Por fim, é feita uma breve revisão da literatura relativa a estudos clínicos sobre a eficácia do tratamento com quiropraxia.

This is a review about Chiropractic, a health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system, with a special emphasis on the treatment of vertebral pain and associated symptoms. The profession is initially defined and an overview of the history of chiropractic in the world as well as in Brazil is presented. Professional education, consisting of four years of university-level graduation programs is described. The two chiropractic programs in activity in Brazil are presented and their importance to the establishment of the profession in this country is discussed. The biomechanical evaluation performed by chiropractors is explained, with special emphasis on techniques of joint palpation. Treatment procedures used by chiropractors are summarized, particularly techniques of manual therapy. Spinal manipulation therapy and its physiological effects are then detailed. Contra-indications and complications are discussed. Finally, a brief review of the medical literature with respect to clinical trials on the efficacy of chiropractic therapy for the treatment of specific conditions is outlined.