4189.0: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 2:45 PM

Abstract #22672

A survey of attitudes toward public health topics of chiropractic faculty, students and practitioners

Cheryl Hawk, DC, PhD1, Michael Perillo, DC, MPH2, Karen Boulanger1, Bart Green, DC, MSEd3, Linda Bowers, DC4, Irene Paulavicius, MS5, Jerrilyn Cambron, DC, MPH6, Elizabeth Doller, PhD7, Thomas Carpenter, DC8, Kenneth Elkins, PhD9, David Aberant, MS10, Fred Colley, PhD, MPH11, and Gary Greenstein, DC2. (1) Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, 741 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52803, (2) Clinical Sciences, University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic, 75 Linden St, Bridgeport, CT 60661, (3) Palmer College of Chiropractic West, (4) Northwestern Health Sciences University, (5) Palmer College of Chiropractic, (6) National University of Health Sciences, (7) Parker College of Chiropractic, (8) Cleveland College of Chiropractic, LA, (9) Cleveland College of Chiropractic, Kansas City, (10) New York College of Chiropractic, (11) Western States College of Chiropractic

In October 2000, the Association of Schools of Public Health and the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration Bureau of Health Professions funded a project led by Yale University and the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic to develop a model public health curriculum in chiropractic colleges. To contribute to the development of this project, a survey of attitudes toward public health related topics was designed and conducted. The survey emphasized the role of chiropractic in the areas of population health, prevention and health promotion. All respondents were asked if they felt chiropractors should deliver the specified service, and practitioners were also asked to what proportion of patients they delivered the service. The specific services listed were related to these areas: eliciting information from patients on the leading health indicators from Healthy People 2010; performing or providing referral for screening tests; and providing information on risk factor reduction and health promotion. The survey instrument was designed with input from the project’s advisory committee and was pilot tested in three chiropractic colleges. Following pilot-testing, it was administered in February 2001 to a sample of faculty and students at 10 of the 17 chiropractic colleges in the U.S. and chiropractic practitioners participating in a large practice-based research program. The results will be available in March 2001. These results will not only assist in development of the curriculum, but may be used in the future to assess changes in attitudes that occur after its implementation.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. Discuss the attitudes of U.S. chiropractors toward prevention and health promotion. 2. Understand the issues that need to be addressed in developing a public health curriculum for chiropractic students.

Keywords: Chiropractic, Public Health Education and 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.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA