Recorded presentation

John K. Hyland, DC, MPH, Parker Research Institute, 2500 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75229, 972-438-6932, drjhyland@optonline.net, Cheryl Hawk, DC, PhD, Research, Parker Research Institute, 2500 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75229, Ronald Rupert, DC, Parker Research Institute, Parker College of Chiropractic, 2500 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75229, and Anjum Odhwani, MD, MPH, Research Institute, Parker college of chiropractic, 2500 Walnut Hill, Dallas, TX 75229.

According to the Association of Chiropractic Colleges, the practice of chiropractic includes health promotion, as well as health preservation and restoration. However, at this time the body of evidence related to disease prevention and health promotion has not yet been integrated into the curricula of most chiropractic colleges in the U.S. For this reason, in 2003, a course in “Wellness Concepts” was introduced in a U.S. chiropractic college to students in the term immediately preceding their clinical internship. The chief goals of this required course are to orient students to a wellness model of care emphasizing the essential features of multidimensionality and self-care; to demonstrate practice procedures consistent with national priorities and initiatives related to health promotion; to train skills needed to access health promotion and prevention resources; and to impart practical tools for assessment, screening and counseling patients in the areas of greatest significance to their patients’ health and most relevant to chiropractic practice. Practical application of the principles of health education will be provided through demonstrations and assigned activities. The counseling areas emphasized are healthy diet, physical activity, stress management, smoking cessation, and injury prevention. The students’ familiarity with key concepts and issues and their intention of using various wellness-related procedures and activities in their practice were assessed on the first day of class in 2004 and will be reassessed at the end of the course in April 2004. This pre- and post-test will be used to assist in formative and summative evaluation.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the learner will be able to

• Describe chiropractic procedures consistent with national health promotion priorities and initiatives;
• List successful features of an introductory course in wellness concepts.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation