There is an emphasis placed on the management
of spinal disorders and their role in the overall health and
wellness of the individual.
The
Undergraduate Education
The
Chiropractic Education
Licensure
Continuing
Education
Postgraduate
Studies
Subject
Hours Comparison Between DC's and MD's
The Undergraduate Education
Similar to the requirements of medical schools,
prior to entering chiropractic college students must first
complete 4 years of premed undergraduate studies. During this
time there is an emphasis on basic sciences including organic
chemistry, general chemistry, physics, biology, and psychology.
The Chiropractic Education
Upon successful completion of the undergraduate
studies, those students who are accepted to a chiropractic
college enter a 4-5 year academic program, which is similar
in content to medical school.
Course work includes an in-depth study of
anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, radiology, biomechanics,
spinal adjustive techniques, including a variety of other
health-related areas.
The primary focus of the chiropractic education
is to teach the student how to recognize and effectively treat
a wide variety of soft tissue disorders in order to reduce
pain and discomfort, allow for effective and proper healing,
restore normal body biomechanics and improve overall health.
In order to treat such conditions, students
are taught a number of different techniques and methods. An
emphasis is also placed on other aspects of health including
diet, exercise, nutrition and wellness.
Moreover, students receive thorough training
aimed at identifying those conditions which are beyond the
chiropractor's scope of practice and which require outside
medical referral.
During the academic program, students must
successfully complete 4 national board examinations which
are required for licensure. In addition, students must spend
several hundred hours of internship in which they treat patients
suffering from true health ailments while under professional
supervision.
This ensures that the graduating doctors of
chiropractic will have all the necessary education, skills
and clinical experience to provide exceptionally safe and
effective chiropractic health care. Many colleges have additionally
employed externship programs in which student interns assist
field doctors in their private practices prior to graduation.
Licensure
Upon graduation and the passing of all national
board exams, students undergo state board examination for
the state which they wish to practice in. If successful, the
new doctor of chiropractic will receive his or her license
for the practice of chiropractic in that state.
Continuing Education
Once licensed, most states require the doctor
of chiropractic to attend annual seminars in order to maintain
a high level of competency and keep technical skills sharp
and as current as possible. Failure to do so will result in
the revocation of the doctor's license.
Postgraduate Studies
Many doctors further their knowledge and skills
by completing additional studies after graduation. These one
to three year programs provide the information to place the
doctors at the top of the health care field in specific areas.
Some of the areas of study include orthopedics, neurology,
radiology, sports, rehabilitation, nutrition, pediatrics and
research.
Subject Hours Comparison
Between DC's and MD's
You may be surprised to learn that chiropractic
doctors receive more class and study time in many important
subjects compared with their medical counterparts.
Subjects |
Class Hours
Chiropractic Students
|
Class Hours
Medical Students
|
Anatomy |
540
|
510
|
Chemistry |
165
|
325
|
Diagnosis |
630
|
325
|
Microbiology |
120
|
115
|
Neurology |
320
|
110
|
Obstetrics |
60
|
150
|
Orthopedics |
210
|
155
|
Pathology |
360
|
400
|
Physiology |
240
|
325
|
Psychiatry |
60
|
145
|
Radiology |
360
|
150
|
HOURS |
3,065
|
2,710
|
J |
ADDITIONALLY
REQUIRED STUDIES |
J |
Spinal
Manipulation
Nutrition
Physiotherapy
Advanced Radiology
|
Pharmacology
Immunology
General Surgery
|
TOTAL HOURS |
4,485
|
4,250
|
|
|