Recorded presentation

Irene N. Paulavicius, MA and Lisa Killinger, DC. Pathology Department, Palmer College of Chiropractic, 1000 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52803, 563 884-5424, paulavicius@palmer.edu

The combined efforts of the Chiropractic section of APHA, the public health faculty at several chiropractic colleges and federal funding have resulted in the creation of an outline for a model curriculum for teaching public health in chiropractic institutions. The current curriculum reflects the topics covered by the National Board Examination. In order to implement the model curriculum there would have to be a re-focusing of the topical material presented.

Several innovative changes were made in a classroom with over two hundred students. Health care became the focus and students were encouraged to select an “enriching activity” which would be independently pursued as part of the course requirement.

Two months after the completion of the course, a survey was conducted to assess student attitudes. The public health course is offered in the fourth trimester, at this point in their educational process the students are primarily engrossed in basic science topics and have not been exposed to other courses promoting “inquiry-based” learning. The students’ assessment of this curriculum, their attitudes regarding the involvement of chiropractors in public health promotion practices and their views toward public health will be presented.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session the participant should be able to

• Articulate an alternate approach to teaching public health, including a greater emphasis on health promotion, prevention, and general health topics.
• Value the student responses on a survey done to assess this alternate approach.
• Explore future directions for public health education in chiropractic colleges.

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