3093.0: Monday, November 13, 2000 - 3:00 PM

Abstract #8174

Chiropractic education in the changing health care environment

Irene N. Paulavicius, MA, Basic Sciences Division, Palmer College of Chiropractic, 1000 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52803, (319) 884-5424, IreneN@home.com

While the "baby boomer" generation is drifting toward various forms of alternative health care, American medicine has shifted from the physician to managed care and rationing. The powerful doctor-patient relationship has been watered down and filtered through a complex system. As medicine touts it's technological advances and scientific breakthroughs, the biggest opportunities for improving Americans' health still lies ahead: changing unhealthy behaviors.

The primary goal set by Healthy People 2010, to ‘increase the quality and years of healthy life’ falls right into the Chiropractic paradigm. Yet a survey conducted among chiropractic students at one college found a lack of understanding of what is "public health," and how they fit into the picture of implementing the nation's health priorities. Lifestyle choices play a significant role in the top three causes of mortality today, namely, heart disease, cancer and cerebrovascular disease. It is time to re-focus public health education in the chiropractic college setting. Challenges influencing the design of public health courses will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: The participants will recognize the challenges influencing the design of public health courses at chiropractic institutions

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA