For the first time, regional chiropractic accreditation standards have been compared, and the findings are astounding. Whereas some might think chiropractic training standards differ substantially from country to country, this study shows otherwise.
First, we must ask, what is so important about accreditation? Chiropractic program accreditation ensures graduate competency and allows the chiropractors who graduate to practice legally. Accreditation agencies play a crucial role in reassuring jurisdictional licensing authorities that healthcare programs meet accepted standards for graduating competent practitioners who provide safe and effective care. In other words, accreditation provides quality assurance, ensuring that graduating chiropractors have the skills and knowledge they need to practice.
Why Does This Study Matter?
Historically, chiropractors have been challenged by the erroneous perception that chiropractic education standards are low or that they vary from place to place. This challenge goes beyond the perceptions of mere practice technique differences. Ultimately, recognizing that global accreditation standards are similar paves the way for patients, payors (i.e., insurance companies), and other healthcare stakeholders to increase their value and trust in chiropractic.
Although prior studies have described some chiropractic accreditation agencies, none has provided a detailed, systematic analysis across global agencies. Thus, until now it was unknown if chiropractic accrediting agencies had similar standards.
Study Parameters / Findings
A team of 22 investigators examined similarities and differences in student competencies and program standards across four chiropractic accreditation agencies worldwide. The panel had international representation. The authors were from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Combined, the panelists represent the countries that comprise an estimated 92% of the world’s chiropractors.
A content analysis was performed on standards, which included the Council on Chiropractic Education (United States), the European Council on Chiropractic Education (Europe, United Kingdom, South Africa), the Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia (Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia), and the Council on Chiropractic Education Canada (Canada). A statistical analysis was conducted to identify if there were any significant differences among the accreditation agencies.
The study, “Program Standards and Student Competencies Among Global Chiropractic Accreditation Agencies: A Content Analysis,” published in BMC Medical Education (https://rdcu.be/eL5b6), found that content was consistent across the four accrediting agencies, with no statistically significant differences among them. In other words, chiropractic accreditation around the world is more alike than different.
Discussion / Comments
World Federation of Chiropractic Immediate Past President, Dr. John Maltby, stated, “The public wants to know what chiropractors are capable of doing. This paper outlines the chiropractic competencies and shows that these expectations for chiropractic knowledge and skills are global.”
The increasing internationalization of healthcare professions raises the need for quality assurance and a clear understanding of accreditation standards for education programs for all healthcare professionals. Professional competence is required to function as a healthcare professional and comprises profession-relevant knowledge, skills, behaviors, and values that can be measured against a set of standards. This research provides a baseline for the student competencies and program requirements necessary to produce competent chiropractic graduates worldwide.
Editor of the Journal of Chiropractic Education and a co-author of the study, Dr. Bart Green, stated, “Evidence from this study shows consistency across chiropractic education accreditation standards. This has a far-reaching impact beyond education, including regulations as well as the provision of safe and effective chiropractic care for the public worldwide.”
Chiropractic competencies help guide education programs to give their students the knowledge and skills needed for successful practice. The published paper also includes a helpful list of chiropractic competencies and program expectations found in the supplementary file, which may facilitate dialogue among chiropractic stakeholders.
Professional Pearls
This study is the first to assess chiropractic program standards and student competencies across four primary chiropractic accreditation agencies worldwide. It shows consistency among multiple geographic areas and includes essential details for the contents of agencies’ documents, which will help to clarify concepts within chiropractic education, and facilitate dialogue and comprehension among stakeholders of chiropractic education.
