Volume 26: Issue 2

Purpose: This retrospective study measured correlation of student performance between 2 objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) and an introductory integrated clinical skills course that preceded the OSCEs. The hypothesis was that there would be a strong, positive correlation between the earlier level examinations and the upper level OSCE, high enough that earlier examinations could be viewed as predictors of upper level OSCE performance. Methods: Using student scores for 5 academic terms of upper level OSCEs for 2008–2009 (n = 208) and respective earlier scores, correlation coefficients were calculated for the upper level OSCE and Clinical Skills course, and upper and lower level OSCEs. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate how well the lower level OSCE and clinical skills scores, both as lone and combined independent variables, predicted the upper level OSCE scores. Results: There was at least a moderate correlation between both sets of scores: r = .51 (p < .001) between upper level OSCE and clinical skills course, r = .54 (p < .001) between the upper and lower level OSCEs. A combination of clinical skills and lower level OSCE scores suggested a moderate prediction of upper level OSCE scores (R² = .38.) Conclusions: Correlations were found to be of at least a moderate level. According to linear regression analysis, a combination of the earlier scores was moderately predictive for the upper level OSCE. More research could be done to determine additional components of student performance.

Purpose: Research encompassing the characteristics of chiropractic students is limited. The purpose of our study was to evaluate a current chiropractic student population enrolled at a chiropractic college concerning demographics, expectations, and beliefs. Methods: A 44-item survey was administered to volunteer participants. Direct verbal interaction in a classroom setting to potential participants was the recruitment strategy used. Data were collected and stored on a safe network. Percentages for all responses were calculated and means were recorded where appropriate. Results: A total of 664 students participated of 877 potential eligible candidates (75%). The respondents tended to be 21–25 years of age, Caucasian, and male. Most respondents expected to work in a private practice immediately following graduation and anticipated an annual income of at least $100,000 eventually. Respondents preferred the retaining of the term, “subluxation,” and identified the importance of new and emerging scientific data. Additionally, respondents held the viewpoint that some non-musculoskeletal diseases can be treated effectively with spinal manipulation as a primary treatment. Conclusions: The majority of chiropractic students in our study were represented by specific demographic characteristics, and a strong favoritism toward the expectations of working in a private practice setting and earning at least $100,000 per year at some point in their career. Distinct beliefs are shared between chiropractic students and practicing chiropractors in North America, and certain aspects of students in our study are comparable to chiropractic students in similar studies.

Purpose: We compare patient populations attending chiropractors in the field to those in teaching clinics to allow educational institutions to determine if students are exposed to a similar case mix. The purpose of our study was to describe and compare descriptively the clinical case mix of a recently opened community-based teaching clinic to previously published practice data. Methods: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using new patient records completed at a clinic. Data were extracted using a specifically designed abstraction form. Results: We manually abstracted 649 files. A total of 580 new patient files was included in the analysis, among which 57.7% included female patients with a mean age of 43 years (SD 18), and 42.1% presented with a chief complaint of more than one year in duration. The vast majority of patients complained of spinal pain (81.4%), most commonly low back pain. Almost 92% of the diagnoses were classified as simple (sprain/strain). The average number of visits per patient was 7.4 (SD 11.3); 54.7% received spinal manipulation on their first visit. The majority of patients were referred by the treating intern (64.8%) and about 24% of patients were local residents. Conclusions: Our study contributed to the few studies detailing patients attending chiropractic academic teaching clinics. It provided benchmark demographic and clinical data that may be used for operational planning. Our study suggested that the case mix of this teaching clinic provides interns with appropriate learning opportunities to achieve entry to practice competencies.

INTRODUCTION

Preparing the chiropractic workforce for the changing diversity of the population was the theme of the 2012 Association of Chiropractic Colleges Educational Conference and Research Agenda Conference (ACC-RAC). The conference was held March 15 through 17, 2012 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Presenters and attendees from around the world met with their peers, attended informative workshops in the domains of research, integration, clinical practice and education, and experienced research presentations by leaders in the field.

Association of Chiropractic Colleges working group meetings were held, allowing educators, administrators, and researchers the opportunity to meet and

Small Teaching Online

Carissa ManriquePhD,

Abdellatif AlsharifPhD,

Kelly BrownMS,

Cynthia CalongneDCS,

Terence CockerhamMA, and

Themba NgwenyaDCS

Editorial

Errata

Correlation Between Student Performances on Course Level Integrated Clinical Skills Examinations and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations in a Chiropractic College Program

Background, Expectations and Beliefs of a Chiropractic Student Population: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of New Patients Presenting to a Community Teaching Clinic

A Retrospective Analysis of the Cultural Competence of Chiropractic Students in a Public Health Course

An International Survey of Gross Anatomy Courses in Chiropractic Colleges

Evidence-Based Chiropractic Education: Are We Equipping Graduates for Clinical Practice with Improved Patient Outcomes?

Association of Chiropractic Colleges Educational Conference and Research Agenda Conference 2012

INTRODUCTION

How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching

Small Teaching Online

Association between time management practices and perceived stress levels in preclinical chiropractic students

Perceptions of chiropractic students on digital literacy skills at a South African university: A cross-sectional study

Prevalence of burnout among chiropractic students in Malaysia

Use of the Evidence-Based practice Attitude and utilization SurvEy to determine the use of evidence-based practice by chiropractic students

Student and new graduate perception of hospital versus institutional clinic for clinical educational experience

A cross-sectional study of the association between anxiety and temporomandibular disorder in Australian chiropractic students

Effects of an 8-week physical exercise program on spinal manipulation biomechanical parameters in a group of 1st-year chiropractic students *

Development of a student grading rubric and testing for interrater agreement in a doctor of chiropractic competency program

A pilot study of the effect of force feedback training on students learning flexion-distraction chiropractic technique *