Objective:The purpose of this observational study was to determine the social, personal, psychological, and academic self-perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Chiropractic students in South Africa. Methods:This study used a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional design. A self-reported, Likert-scale survey of 35 online questions, administered through QuestionPro, was sent to Chiropractic students registered at 2 South African institutions from November 2022 until January 2023. The responses were anonymous. The survey was validated using a pilot study and focus group. Results:A 51.65% (n = 97) response rate was recorded. A total of 60.00% (n = 113) of respondents expressed discomfort if individuals did not wear masks and 73.40% (n = 138) of respondents reported to have experienced conflicts due to prolonged time spent with household members in limited personal space. The respondents also experienced personal self-perceived impacts, such as 69.00% (n = 130) reported having reduced productivity, 42.00% (n = 79) increased financial difficulties, 50.00% (n = 94) decreased physical activity, and 80.85% (n = 152) spent more time on social media. Participants self-reported that these challenges had detrimental effects on their mental health. These included increased anxiety (92.02%; n = 171), difficulties in thought control (75.50%; n = 142), withdrawal from social interactions (80.32%; n = 151), decreased motivation (90.96%; n = 171), and concentration issues (89.89%; n = 169). A portion of the students also reported a decline in academic marks (43.62%; n = 82) and practical skills (76.60%; n = 144). Conclusion:Most Chiropractic student respondents perceived that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted their social and personal functioning, self-reported mental health and overall academic progress.
Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the perspectives of past and present leaders from the American Public Health Association’s Chiropractic Health Care (CHC) section regarding opportunities for future growth and contributions CHC could have on the chiropractic profession and public health. Methods From June to July 2024, 50 identified individuals were invited to participate in an anonymous, online, structured questionnaire survey including free-text responses. A qualitative thematic analysis, rooted in pragmatism, was performed using inductive and deductive approaches. Results Nineteen (38% response) were included in the analysis. Three main themes were identified from the comments: 1) internal engagement of the section promotes professional growth and encourages a strong sense of community; 2) leadership and productivity of the section are closely related to growing and supporting membership; and 3) section leadership should focus on adding value to the chiropractic profession through involvement in public health domains. Conclusion This qualitative analysis of past and present CHC leadership surveys identified 3 primary themes that may guide strategic planning, policy development, and research initiatives.
Objective The purposes of this study were to (1) identify important principles for facilitating accessibility to allied health services such as chiropractic treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and delivering these services in a culturally appropriate manner; and (2) to contextualize these principles by mapping them to an allied health program (Aboriginal Health in Aboriginal Hands [AHAH]) currently delivering these services within an Indigenous community. Methods To gather information about the program`, yarnings were held with stakeholders of the AHAH clinic. Key features of the program were then mapped against the identified domains of accessibility and principles for design and delivery in the context of cultural sensitivity. Results Notable aspects of the AHAH service design and delivery included building on the strengths of the community; being located at an established Aboriginal community gathering space that provides a familiar location for prospective service users; high level and face to face involvement of Aboriginal community members who facilitate the “welcoming nature” and cultural appropriateness of the service. Furthermore, the oversight and daily involvement of Indigenous community members ensures the application of the domains of approachability, acceptability, availability, affordability, and appropriateness and the cultural principles identified as important by Aboriginal leaders and researchers for working with “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander” communities (lore, love, look, listen, learn, lead, and land). Conclusion Applying the principles of accessibility and cultural appropriateness, appears to facilitate the delivery of therapies, such as chiropractic, with “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander” communities.
Objectives:The purpose of this study was to survey chiropractors' awareness and use of inappropriate patient sexual behavior (IPSB) protocol guidelines. Method:This study used a 31-question online survey, distributed during the period of September to November 2022, to all registered female chiropractors in South Africa. The survey focused on how often and how severe IPSB incidents were, as well as practitioners' knowledge and use of IPSB guidelines. Results:Of the 508 chiropractors, 24.2% (123) responded. All respondents were aware of IPSB, with 59.8% reporting they had experienced it. More than half (52.2%) had encountered IPSB more than once, with mild cases being the most common, followed by moderate and severe cases. Respondents reported they felt more prepared for mild IPSB than for moderate or severe incidents. Many (40.9%) chose to ignore the behavior and continue treating the patient, while 34.1% gave a verbal warning before continuing care. A majority (95.7%) were concerned about IPSB, and 82.9% thought additional training could help them better handle these situations. While 62.6% knew about the IPSB protocol guidelines, 80.5% had not read them. Nevertheless, 83.3% said they had implemented the guidelines, and 66.7% found them helpful for educating chiropractors about IPSB. Conclusion:The study found that 59.8% of female chiropractors in South Africa have experienced IPSB. Maintaining professional boundaries is a major concern for this group of chiropractors, and further research and professional guidelines may be necessary to address the impact comprehensively.
Objective At the extremes of interpretation within chiropractic’s philosophical landscape, one group of members adheres to historical doctrines of Innate Intelligence, whereas the other group borders on scientism. This article examines the metaphysical problems faced by each extreme and offers the methodology of Immanuel Kant as a means toward progress in understanding by offering a unifying application of philosophy. Discussion The philosophical and ideological extremes within chiropractic represent divergent epistemologies, with one group arguing for the necessity of deductive rationalism based on axiomatic principles and the other for the primacy of empirical or scientific knowledge. This division emerges from a basic misunderstanding of the aim of metaphysics and recapitulates fierce disagreements published throughout the Enlightenment in continental philosophy, culminating with Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason. Kant’s was an attempt to reconcile these disparate views by elevating metaphysics to the level of science. This article works backward chronologically from Daniel David Palmer to Kant and then from Kant to contemporary applications of metaphysics. By investigating Kant’s arguments and those that followed, it is observed that positivism, grounded in empirical science, as well as rationalism in and beyond chiropractic research, depends upon certain metaphysical ideas that cannot be dismissed. Conclusion This article proposes that empirical scientific research in the clinical setting is contingent upon basic assumptions that are inherently metaphysical. In order to further philosophical progress in chiropractic, metaphysics in chiropractic, as in Kant’s time, must embrace an academically rigorous form.
