News in Brief

Integrating Chiropractic Into Federal Emergency Response Teams

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) recently announced a collaborative alliance with the nonprofit Chiropractic Emergency Response Volunteer Team (CERV Team). The two organizations will work together to develop teams of chiropractic responders that can be deployed during times of state and national disasters.

The alliance comes at a crucial time: In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, hindsight is raising concern and generating new ideas about emergency preparedness. Working together, the ACA and CERV Team will equip and certify DCs with the skills needed to respond to local, state or national emergencies. The CERV Team also plans to work closely with individual state chiropractic associations to develop statewide disaster response plans.

"Our goal in disaster preparedness is cooperation among many responding groups, including doctors of chiropractic, allied health care providers, state and federal officials, the local community, and nonprofit organizations such as the American Red Cross," said ACA President Richard G. Brassard, DC. "We are excited about the opportunity to be part of the major national disaster initiative and to make the kind of impact that can only be made when organizations work together in pursuit of a common goal."

The ACA/CERV alliance is the direct result of chiropractic's involvement with the Dallas Convention Center Medical Unit following Hurricane Katrina last August. Immediately after the storm, Rebecca Burton, DC, created a rehab/chiropractic unit within the Dallas Convention Center's on-site emergency care hospital. Dr. Burton requested the help of Zonsite, LLC - a wellness and technology firm in Dallas - to mobilize more than 90 volunteer chiropractors to provide chiropractic care to evacuees, emergency relief workers and volunteers. Out of Dr. Burton's relationship with Zonsite, the CERV Team was formed and was invited by the Federal Department of Homeland Security to participate in formal emergency response when a national disaster is declared.

CERV is offering reduced membership, training, and certification fees for members of state and national chiropractic associations. For more information, please visit www.ihelpcerv.org.

What Patients Want: The Seven Key Traits of the "Ideal Physician"

A study conducted by researchers at the Mays Business School in Texas has determined seven characteristics patients appreciate most in their physicians, supporting an Institute of Medicine recommendation that quality medical care should take a patient-centered approach.

A randomized sample of 192 patients, all of whom had been seen at Mayo Clinics in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Rochester, Minn., were interviewed via telephone. All interviewees were asked to describe their worst and best experiences at the clinic. From these accounts and descriptions, the researchers corroborated seven ideal behavioral themes from the recorded transcripts. The seven traits, along with a definition of the behavior according to the study, are as follows:

• Confident: "The doctor's confidence gives me confidence."
• Empathetic: "The doctor tries to understand what I am feeling and experiencing, physically and emotionally, and communicates that understanding to me."
• Humane: "The doctor is caring, compassionate and kind."
• Personal: "The doctor is interested in me more than just as a patient, interacts with me and remembers me as an individual."
• Forthright: "The doctor tells me what I need to know in plain language and in a forthright manner."
• Respectful: "The doctor takes my input seriously and works with me."
• Thorough: "The doctor is conscientious and persistent."

For more information, read: Bendapudi NM, Berry LL, Frey KA, et al. Patients' perspectives on ideal physician behaviors. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, March 2006;81(3):338-344.