141st APHA Annual Meeting

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A public health agenda for the apha chiropractic health care section: Report from the initial delphi stages of planning document development

Monday, November 4, 2013 : 4:50 PM - 5:00 PM

Claire Johnson, MSEd, DC , Editor, Professor, National University of Health Sciences, Escondido, CA
Bart Green, MSEd, DC , Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Department, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA
Lori Byrd, MS , Academic Affairs, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, IA
John Hyland, D.C., M.P.H. , National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Greeley, CO
Mitchell Haas, DC, MA , Center for Outcomes Studies, University of Western States, Portland, OR
Objective This study developed consensus for a planning document to prepare public health related projects for the APHA – Chiropractic Health Care Section (CHC).

Methods Twenty-two members participated in this Delphi process. The first open-ended questionnaire identified public health issues important to the CHC. The second survey summarized topics; participants rated items the CHC could most likely influence, suggested how to maximize resources, and identify stakeholders.

Results The 125 initial comments were condensed and organized into 25 general, 9 population specific, and 7 neuromusculoskeletal issues for survey 2. The highest rated “general” issues were: rated at 100%: obesity, nutrition/healthy diet, health screening/primary prevention, physical activity; rated at 95% environmental health, injury/violence prevention, sleep health, heart disease/stroke preventions, occupational safety, tobacco cessation. The “neuromusculoskeletal” issues rated at 100% were: arthritis, back pain, extremity pain, injury prevention, neck pain, neurological health/stroke prevention, and osteoporosis. The “population specific” issues rated at 100% were: elder neuromusculoskeletal issues, minority populations health issues, infant/child/adolescent health, physical activity, children, reduce elder injuries, sports injury prevention, women during pregnancy. Stakeholders included: public/patients, APHA groups/members/leaders, national health organizations, state/local health organizations, educational institutions, faculty, students, health care industry, health care providers, and policy makers. Results were analyzed to identify opportunities and barriers and to inform future actions.

Conclusion Findings showed that the APHA-CHC planning committee has consensus regarding opportunities to positively influence public health issues and collaborate with relevant stakeholders. These findings will direct planning and match limited resources for the highest potential gain from our public health efforts.

Learning Areas:
Administration, management, leadership
Communication and informatics
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
Discuss issues identified by the American Public Health Association – Chiropractic Health Care Section (CHC) in the process of effective planning Review survey process and findings of the surveys Recommend future actions that the CHC can use to implement change Offer suggestions to other APHA sections about how they could use a similar process for developing a planning document

Keywords: Chiropractic, Public Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have met all 3 of the criteria for authorship: 1) substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, and analysis and interpretation of data; 2) drafting the article and revising it critically for important intellectual content; and 3) final approval of the version to be submitted. I have a degree in health professions education and have participated in clinical/educational programs that are healthcare related.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.