10 Professional Development

RECOMMENDATION

Continuing professional development, as in all responsible health professions, is a necessary component of maintaining a high standard for both the practitioner and the profession. Continuing development should be directed to areas germane to each individual practice, including but not limited to: credentialing, continuing education programs, participation in professional organizations, ethics forums, and legal issues.

Rating: Established

Evidence: E, L

Commentary

Continuing professional development is currently widely mandated by most licensing jurisdictions, or encouraged through most professional organizations. Perhaps the most compelling reason for advocating this type of on-going education is to afford practitioners the opportunity to keep abreast of current issues, techniques, and methods which serve to enhance patient care. The fact that most programs are conducted by individuals skilled in the topics presented, also provides a high ratio of quality information delivered in a relatively short period. Thus, professional development serves not only the practitioner, but ultimately benefits the patient through enhanced practice skills acquired in different areas by the chiropractor.(1-14)

In addition to formal postgraduate education courses, other opportunities for professional development may include:

- Reading scholarly journals

- Attending scientific symposia

- Participation in research

- Publication of clinical and scientific papers

- Audio and videocassette courses

- Teleclasses

- Distance education programs

References

1. Hildebrandt RW. Chiropractic continuing education: A critical review. Am J Chiro Med 1989; 2(3):89-92.

2. Rayles MD. Professional ethics. Wadsworth Publishing Co., Belmont, CA 1981; 75.

3. Houle CO. Continuing learning in the professions. Jossey-Bass Publishers, San Francisco 1980; 76-123.

4. Official Directory Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards. Greeley, CO, 1993.

5. Council on Chiropractic Education. Standards for chiropractic institutions. West Des Moines, IA 1990; Council on Chiropractic Education.

6. Davis I. Ethics: an analysis and a theory. J Chiro 1990; 27(4):20-23.

7. Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards. Official Directory of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards. Kremmling, CO, Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards, 1989. Annual.

8. Haldeman S, ed. Modern developments in the principles and practice of chiropractic: based on a conference sponsored by the International Chiropractors Association, Anaheim, CA, February 1979. New York, Appleton-Century-Crofts 1980; 390 pp.

9. Haldeman S. Philosophy and the future of chiropractic. J Chiro 1990; 27(7):23-28.

10. Kelner M, Hall O, Coulter I. Chiropractors: do they help? A study of their education and practice. Toronto, Fitzhenry & Whiteside 1980; 303 pp.

11. Lawrence DJ. Research and responsibility. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1984; 7(3):179-181.

12. Mauer EL. Selected ethics and protocols in chiropractic. Gaithersburg, MD, Aspen Publishers 1991; 273 pp.

13. Rosenthal SF. A sociology of chiropractic. Lewiston, NY, Edwin Mellen Press, 1986. 15 pp.

14. Vear HJ, ed. Chiropractic standards of practice and quality of care. Gaithersburg, MD, Aspen Publishers, Incorrectly. 1991; 303 pp.