The chiropractic profession has not yet systematically integrated principles of disease prevention and health promotion into chiropractic practice. Such integration could greatly enhance both the capacity of chiropractors to help their patients and the profession's relationship with the mainstream health care community. Since July 1999 our clinical research program has been pilot-testing a system to address both disorder-specific outcome assessments and assessments of quality of life and lifestyle. The latter information will be available across all clinical research projects to assist the clinical and data management teams to develop a standardized set of recommendations. Both standardized instruments (SF-36 health status survey; Beck Depression Inventory; Pain Disability Index), and instruments developed to collect specific information on diet (fiber, fat, fruit/vegetables, supplements); exercise (type and frequency); lifestyle (smoking, alcohol; caffeine, seatbelt use); health history; medications (including herbs, homeopathy, or supplements) and disease screening (mammography, Pap, dental caries) are included, as well as data from the physical examination (blood pressure and body mass index). Data from 83 patients in three pilot studies will be presented, along with the recommendations developed. The goal of this effort is to develop a method to deliver prevention and wellness recommendations to patients that reflects chiropractic "best practice," yet is adequately standardized for use in clinical research studies.
Learning Objectives: 1. recognize the importance of health promotion to chiropractic practice 2. recognize appropriate prevention and wellness recommendations for use in chiropractic practice
Keywords: Chiropractic, Health Promotion
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.