An international stakeholder survey of the role of chiropractic qualifying examinations: A qualitative analysis (original) (raw)

Research priorities of the Canadian chiropractic profession: a consensus study using a modified Delphi technique

Chiropractic & manual therapies, 2017

Research funds are limited and a healthcare profession that supports research activity should establish research priority areas. The study objective was to identify research priority areas for the Canadian chiropractic profession, and for stakeholders in the chiropractic profession to rank these in order of importance. We conducted a modified Delphi consensus study between August 2015 and May 2017 to determine the views of Canadian chiropractic organisations (e.g. Canadian Chiropractic Association; provincial associations) and stakeholder groups (e.g. chiropractic educational institutions; researchers). Participants completed three online Delphi survey rounds. In Round 1, participants suggested research areas within four broad research themes: 1) Basic science; 2) Clinical; 3) Health services; and 4) Population health. In Round 2, researchers created sub-themes by categorising the areas suggested in Round 1, and participants judged the importance of the research sub-themes. We defin...

A perspective on Chiropractic Councils on Education accreditation standards and processes from the inside: a narrative description of expert opinion

Chiropractic & Manual Therapies

Background: The aim of this study was to report on key informant opinions of Councils on Chiropractic Education (CCE) regarding recent research findings reporting on improving accreditation standards and processes for chiropractic programs (CPs). Methods: This qualitative study employed in-depth semi-structured interviews with key experienced personnel from the five CCEs in June and July of 2018. The interviews consisted of open-ended questions on a range of issues surrounding accreditation, graduate competency standards and processes. All interviews were audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were analysed to develop codes and themes using thematic analysis techniques assisted by NVivo coding software. The study followed the COREQ guidelines for qualitative studies. Results: Six themes were isolated from the interview transcripts; they were: professional differences; keep it in the family; to focus on outcomes or be prescriptive?; more resources please; inter-profession integration; and CPs making ends meet. Most respondents saw a need for CCEs standards and processes to improve interdisciplinarity while at the same time preserving the 'uniqueness' of chiropractic. Additionally, informants viewed CCEs as carrying out their functions with limited resources while simultaneously dealing with vocal disparate interest groups. Diverse views were observed on how CCEs should go about their business of assessing chiropractic programs for accreditation and re-accreditation. Conclusions: An overarching confounder for positive changes in CCE accreditation standards and processes is the inability to clearly define basic and fundamental terms such as 'chiropractic' and its resultant scope of practice. This is said to be because of vocal, diverse and disparate interest groups within the chiropractic profession. Silence or nebulous definitions negotiated in order to allow a diversity of chiropractic practice to co-exist, appears to have complicated and hindered the activities of CCEs. Recommendations are made including an adoption of an evidence-based approach to accreditation standards and processes and the use of expertise from other health professions. Further, the focus of attention should be moved away from professional interests and toward that of protection of the public and the patient.

A perspective on Councils on Chiropractic Education accreditation standards and processes from the inside: a narrative description of expert opinion

Chiropractic & Manual Therapies

Background This is the second article reporting on a study that sought the views of people with extensive experience in Councils on Chiropractic Education (CCEs) on research that has raised concerns about variability in accreditation standards and processes for chiropractic programs (CPs) and chiropractic practice in general. Methods This qualitative study employed in-depth semi-structured interviews that consisted of open-ended questions asking experts about their thoughts and views on a range of issues surrounding accreditation, graduate competency standards and processes. The interviews were audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim in June and July of 2018. The transcripts were reviewed to develop codes and themes. The study followed the COREQ guidelines for qualitative studies. Results The interviews revealed that these CCE experts were able to discern positive and negative elements of the accreditation standards and processes. They were, in general, satisfied with CCEs accredit...

The reliability and validity of the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board examinations: a nine year longitudinal study (1987-1995) of their psychometric properties

1996

Data derivedfrom the administration ofthe Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB) examinations for a nine year period, 1987-1995, were used to evaluate the reliability and validity of the subject tests: anatomy, chemistry, chiropractic practice, diagnosis and symptomatology, microbiology and public health, neurology, pathology, physiology, and x-ray interpretation and physics. Nearly two-thousand candidates from more than eighteen chiropractic colleges have written the CCEB exams over this nine year period. The results indicate that the exams have adequate alpha reliabilities (.69 to .80) and theoretically appropriate statistical properties and item characteristics. There is also substantial evidence of content validity. Results from stepwise multiple regression andfactor analyses provided evidence for the criterion-related and construct validity of the exams. The implication of these resultsfor the continued refinement and development ofthe CCEB exams, together with suggestions for on-going research oftheir reliability and validity, are discussed. (JCCA 1996; 40 :19-27) KEY WORDS: Board examinations, psychometric analyses, reliability and validity, chiropractic. que des suggestions pour une recherche continue de leur fiabilite et de leur validite.

Practical Issues of Conducting a Q Methodology Study

Advances in Nursing Science, 2017

This article advances nursing research by presenting the methodological challenges experienced in conducting a multination Q-methodology study. This article critically analyzes the relevance of the methodology for cross-cultural and nursing research and the challenges that led to specific responses by the investigators. The use of focus groups with key stakeholders supplemented the Q-analysis results. The authors discuss practical issues and shared innovative approaches and provide best-practice suggestions on the use of this flexible methodology. Q methodology has the versatility to explore complexities of contemporary nursing practice and cross-cultural health research.

Practical Issues of Conducting a Q Methodology Study: Lessons Learned From a Cross-cultural Study

ANS. Advances in nursing science, 2016

This article advances nursing research by presenting the methodological challenges experienced in conducting a multination Q-methodology study. This article critically analyzes the relevance of the methodology for cross-cultural and nursing research and the challenges that led to specific responses by the investigators. The use of focus groups with key stakeholders supplemented the Q-analysis results. The authors discuss practical issues and shared innovative approaches and provide best-practice suggestions on the use of this flexible methodology. Q methodology has the versatility to explore complexities of contemporary nursing practice and cross-cultural health research.

British Chiropractic Association members’ attitudes towards the Chiropractic Reporting and Learning System: A qualitative study

Clinical Chiropractic, 2008

Objectives: The objectives of this study were (i) to identify levels of awareness and understanding of a patient safety incident (PSI) reporting system by members of the British Chiropractic Association (BCA); (ii) to identify BCA members' attitudes to the reporting of PSIs; (iii) to identify possible barriers to incident reporting and the use of the Chiropractic Reporting and Learning System (CRLS) by BCA members. Design: Qualitative, semi-structured interviews. Setting: Chiropractic practices in Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire, and the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic (AECC) outpatient clinic. Subjects: Seven chiropractors (four female, three male) with between 6 months' and 27 years' practice experience. Methods: Interviews were recorded and subsequently transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: All participants were aware of the CRLS prior to being contacted and were positive in their attitudes towards it. The interviewees considered the CRLS as a tool that could help the profession to achieve accountability and openness, and improve patient safety. Reasons identified for under-reporting included fear of retribution, being too busy and insufficient clarity on what to report. Conclusions: The CRLS was considered to be of benefit to the profession. However, until there is greater clarity of the purpose and role of the CRLS, the system will probably remain under-utilised. Strategies should be implemented to improve the reporting of PSIs to the CRLS, including extensive education of the profession. In particular, chiropractors need to understand that without personal initiative on a local as well as national level, improving patient safety by learning from reporting may be difficult to achieve.

Q Methodology and Qualitative Research

Motivational Study. Co-Authored with Dr. Herbert J. Walberg, 1996

Abstract Q methodology combines the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative methods, and its use in research has been facilitated by recent developments in computer software. Q methodology is briefly illustrated in a single-case study of the subjective ...