It is beyond me how one profession can continue to beat itself to death. Time and again our profession is ravaged by senseless issues designed to feed the egos of special interest groups. How can one profession stray so far from its principles? How can we allow the politics of chiropractic to dictate the practice of chiropractic? Haven't we learned anything from our past or from the pasts of so many other professions that are bent on splintering themselves into isolated judgmental groups? Where is the brilliance of organizing groups like the American Chriropractic Association (ACA), International Chiropractic Association (ICA), World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA), and the Federation of Straight Chiropractic Organization (FSCO), for the purpose of unity, when their very creations are deeply rooted in isolating themselves from each other? How long must we endure such expensive, destructive childishness before the profession itself becomes unrecognizable?
The latest issue to be scrutinized and pummeled is the Straight Chiropractic Academic Standards Association (SCASA) accrediting issue. Let's, for a moment, review some thoughts. Since our profession claims to have two schools of thought, it is obvious that the group with the biggest voice and the deepest pockets will attempt to dominate the other group. Why, you ask ... WHY? It's the American way ... you know, it's my way or the highway! There are many ways to describe this phenomenon, but the fact is that our history is filled with this type of thinking. Since our largest voice is represented by our ACA brethren, then their choice for an accrediting body, the Chiropractic Council on Education (CCE), will have control over the profession.
Isn't the function of an accrediting body to represent the entire profession? Sure it is, but as we all know, those of us who choose to practice within our state laws, with a scope of practice well within the parameters of safe chiropractic and without ever posing a threat to any other school of thought, have been excluded from CCE. Since SCASA chiropractors are obviously competent, (our schools meet all required educational standards, and our students have a good track record which is at least compatible to our CCE chiropractors) it seems strange that only our philosophies exclude us.
It seems only logical, therefore, that in order for this group of chiropractors to survive (which is our constitutional right), a second accrediting body (SCASA) had to be formed. Now this really ruffled the feathers of CCE. For the first time, a logical solution to the dilemma was offered. But logic plays no part in the political arena. "We are the only federally approved accrediting agency for chiropractic," said the CCE.
Over time, it became clear to CCE that the SCASA group was not going to just go away, so a new strategy was proposed. Since it was obvious that CCE could not exist if it didn't recognize the entire profession, it decided to change its tune. Last year CCE stated that it would accept all schools of thought.
I wonder if Secretary of Education Bennett's decision, two years ago, to recognize SCASA because it met all federally approved standards for an accrediting agency, had anything to do with that. Nevertheless, CCE appears to look like the good guy by throwing a bone to the SCASA group. In effect, they were taking the wind out of SCASA's sails. As it turned out, the bone had a strong resemblance to what the American Medical Association (AMA) threw the osteopathic profession in the early 1970s, which effectively destroyed that profession. The CCE said, "Sure, we'll embrace your philosophy, as long as you do it our way."
November 1990 will be a sad time for chiropractic. Our profession took one more step in destroying itself. It seems that the ACA decided it was time to teach these "renegades" a lesson. In front of a Washington committee hearing, the ACA left no stone unturned in convincing the federal committee that SCASA was unnecessary. They won with a ten to one decision.
Are you finally satisfied? Are you now happy that you proved that big bucks and politics do mix? What exactly did you prove? Did you prove that you can unify this profession through a dictatorship? Did you prove that the SCASA schools and graduates are not qualified to be chiropractors? No, gentlemen, all you accomplished was to split the profession even further. Do you really know what you have done? Does it matter to you that what SCASA represents is merely the same chiropractic that most of you leaders learned yourself? Is the thought of removing nerve interference so distasteful to you, or is the desire to be free from our philosophy that strong? Either way, gentlemen, you lose. Chiropractic is what it is. It works in spite of how you enforce its applications. As you well know, our profession is based on art, science, and a philosophy. You can change the art, you can change the science, but once you change the philosophy, you no longer have the profession.
Look at what the denouncing of the "Hippocratic Oath" (the code of ethics and philosophy of the medical profession) has done to the medical profession. It was given up in lieu of scientific advancements and has left the profession in a state of change and confusion. Will you not be satisfied until we suffer the same fate?
SCASA is no threat to CCE. In fact, it can only serve to balance the profession. What is the paranoia about? Am I, a graduate of a SCASA accredited school, so different from you. Have I not passed the same state boards as you? I fail to see the difference. The fact that CCE has chosen a mechanistic, analytic approach to chiropractic is their right. I have the same right to practice straight chiropractic, simply because I choose to do so. Future chiropractors share that same right no matter what path they follow.
I am truly ashamed of this profession's behavior. The political stones we cast at each other will ultimately form a wall, not unlike the one that divided Germany. Wake up, gentlemen, and learn from our past. Gloat, if you will, with your political victory but recognize that it is a waste of precious time and money. SCASA has the right to survive as long as you cannot accept their equal but conservative approach to chiropractic.
I challenge anyone reading this article, including Dr. John Miller, president of CCE, to prove that the graduates of SCASA schools are unworthy, unprepared, or unsafe to carry the title of Doctor of Chiropractic. If you can't, then think twice before you condemn. This is a democratic society we live in. A society where being right or wrong isn't always decided in court. Your resources have won this battle for you but the truth will never go away. I will continue to support your right to practice as you see fit; I suggest you do the same. Our profession hangs in the balance.
Sal Martingano, D.C.
Palm Bay, Florida
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