Editorial Type: ORIGINAL ARTICLES
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Online Publication Date: 01 Oct 2007

Use of Radiographic Imaging Protocols by Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College Interns

DC,
DC,
DC,
DC, and
RN, DC, MMedEd, DACBR
Article Category: Research Article
Page Range: 144 – 152
DOI: 10.7899/1042-5055-21.2.144
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Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine if 4th-year interns plan to x-ray their patients, once they are in private practice, in accordance with the principles taught throughout their radiology program and with the evidence-based imaging guidelines outlined in the literature. Methods: Questionnaires were provided to all 4th-year interns. Each questionnaire consisted of 10 case scenarios representing possible chiropractic patients. Each intern was asked if he or she would radiograph the patient and, if so, which views would be taken. A “gold standard” was established by two chiropractic radiologists using evidence-based guidelines. Intern answers were compared with the gold standard using percent agreement. Results: Sixty-eight interns completed the questionnaire. Agreement between the interns and the gold standards for the question of whether or not they would take x-rays ranged from 63.2% to 100%. The percent agreement for the correct radiographic views chosen ranged from 32.6% to 48.4%. Conclusion: Interns are generally aware of and plan to apply the radiographic guidelines for determining whether or not radiographs are indicated, as outlined in the current literature. However, interns are inconsistent in choosing the correct views.

Copyright: © 2007 Association of Chiropractic Colleges 2007

Contributor Notes

Address correspondence to: Dr. Cynthia Peterson, 6100 Leslie Street, Toronto, ON M2H 3J1, Canada; cpeterson@cmcc.ca.
Received: 27 Jul 2006
Accepted: 07 Sept 2006
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