142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Posture perceptions of chiropractic students before and after taking an online health promotion course on posture

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Monday, November 17, 2014 : 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM

Tolu Oyelowo, DC, MS , Department of Health Promotion and Wellness, Northwestern Health Sciences University, Bloomington, MN
Audio (mp3) recording Recorded Presentation (mp4)
Objective: The impact of posture on various health outcomes germane to public health practice has been documented.  Posture has implications in obesity, vision, and low back pain all of which are notable for their public health implications.   Chiropractic students are taught principles of good posture and educated on how to utilize these principles in practice.  It is unclear whether this education translates into increased ability and confidence in communicating postural concerns to their patients and utilizing posture assessment and training in clinical practice.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the results of a survey on students' perceptions of posture and their ability to implement postural assessment and rehabilitation in clinical practice.

Methods: This was a prospective study design using a twenty question survey instrument. IRB approval was obtained (IRB No: TAO-127-11-13).   Informed consent was obtained from participants. 

There was no obligation for students to agree to complete the survey, and no compensation was paid to those students who did participate.  The pre- and post- test interval was eight weeks.

Results: 30 students completed the pre and post survey.

Students' ability to evaluate for and communicate postural concerns to their patients increased. Students' confidence in utilizing posture assessment and training in clinical practice increased as a consequence of participating in an online posture practice course.

Conclusion: While more research is needed, it appears that online delivery may be suitable method for training students on how to incorporate postural evaluation and management into clinical practice.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Advocacy for health and health education
Other professions or practice related to public health
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
Describe student perceptions of their ability to integrate posture principles into chiropractic practice.

Keyword(s): Chiropractic, Curricula

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a clinician with significant expertise in preventive health. I am a public health faculty. I am currently department chair in a health promotion and wellness department.
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.

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