A Proposed Clinical Research Curriculum for Chiropractors

• Activity Number: 401
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Thursday, August 15, 2002 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Teaching of Statistics in the Health Sciences*
• Author(s): Cynthia Long*+
• Affiliation(s): Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research
• Keywords: curriculum ; biostatistical education ; clinical science ; chiropractic

Abstract

Most basic science research in chiropractic is conducted by chiropractors who have obtained graduate degrees. However, clinical research is primarily conducted by chiropractors with little or no graduate training. Hence, the need for chiropractors who are adequately trained to design and conduct clinical research is great. We have developed a two-year clinical research curriculum for chiropractors to be offered in a graduate program at a chiropractic college. A minimum of 36 credit hours is required to obtain the MS degree. Ten of these are in biostatistics and include courses on statistical thinking, data management, statistical computing, biostatistical methods, and data analysis. These will be taught by me with the support of a master's level statistician. Five of these credit hours are already taught in the graduate program. Additional biostatistical coursework will be available through a nearby college of public health. I will discuss the anticipated benefits and challenges of offering this curriculum at a chiropractic college, as well as plans for its implementation and evaluation, with focus on the biostatistical courses.