A Case for In-Person Continuing Education

Continuing Education is a foundational constant in the chiropractic profession. In the early days of chiropractic, chiropractors and their families would gather for Lyceum in Davenport, Iowa to be entertained and educated by the developer of our profession, B.J. Palmer. Picnics, free airplane rides, tennis tournaments, and tours of the Clear View Sanitarium were some of the bonus activities that went along with the continuing education. Our profession was born at the beginning of the technological advances that led to modern x-ray imaging, lab analysis, and electronic devices that helped identify spinal subluxations. It was an amazing time of discovery and experimentation because our knowledge of human neurology and physiology was limited, which made gathering for continuing education so important. These early days also included the implementation of the telephone and shortly after that, the television. Communication was improving, but face-to-face time was still necessary in the continuing education world.

Community

The chiropractic community is a small profession that has faced enormous opposition. Those of us that were around when Wilk v. American Medical Association was settled in 1987 have vivid memories of the attempts to deny funding for education and research and ultimately eliminate our profession. The attack was on all of us, and I believe that is one of the things that created such a strong sense of family in our profession. I have seen this sense of unity in many of the state chiropractic association meetings across the country. Our state chiropractic leaders have long-standing records of proudly serving our profession at the state and national level.

State chiropractic conventions are a wonderful venue for continuing education. They seek speakers that can share the cutting edge of what’s new in technology and technique, and they continue to address the important issues related to health care legislation at the state and federal levels. That side of chiropractic isn’t always the fun part. But it is essential work, and the load is always lighter when many are involved.

Iron Sharpens Iron

Every chiropractor has experiences that are worth sharing with colleagues. I don’t think I have ever taught or attended a seminar without taking away a nugget of information to add to my “toolbox” that was beneficial to my patients. A technique tip, an analogy that explains complex things simply, an underexplored question to entertain when evaluating a patient. These are the bonuses of spending time with colleagues that have nothing to lose by enriching your experience.

Another unique aspect of being a chiropractor is that we can give to each other the service we provide to our patients. Adjusting each other at seminars always draws a crowd to watch because we can pick up a little technique nuance when watching others share their gift. It is my observation that most chiropractors need more of what we give our patients, and a seminar adjustment is a beautiful thing. I’m sure that other medical professions are unable to duplicate the reciprocity that we enjoy. “Anybody have a mole they want removed?”

Hands-On

Technology has created some amazing tools for us to use, allowing us to be present virtually. I use virtual meeting technology nearly every week for various types of training. While it allows for convenience and frequent connection, it is lacking in some very important ways.

There are different ways in which we take in information and retain it. We acquire information visually, auditorily, and kinesthetically. Staring at a computer monitor, listening to a presentation with PowerPoint slides engages the visual and auditory senses. It is a very commonly used platform, and it does provide benefit. It is convenient and allows us to connect to people anywhere in the world at any time. I provided a two-day, 12-hour seminar virtually during the pandemic, and it was as difficult to deliver as it was to receive. The lack of connection to the audience was uncomfortable and seemed almost robotic. I applaud my colleagues that endured that difficult time.

The pandemic changed our world in many ways, and virtual connection became a standard way to do business and education. It works, but in my opinion, it lacks in many ways what face-to-face connection provides. The kinesthetic component of writing notes by hand while engaging in hands-on activities or demonstrations creates changes in the brain that are easier to repeat. Showing or telling someone how to do an exercise without them actually doing it nearly guarantees that they will not have the ability to recreate that activity when requested. There is no neural connection for them to re-engage. It takes repetition of activity to create new neural networks, and the virtual environment does not provide that.

As I complete my twentieth year of providing continuing education seminars in the US and abroad, I look forward to many more years of sharing my experience and expertise face to face with my brothers and sisters in this great profession.

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