Chiropractic Principles     

Summarize the history of Chiropractic                                      

Describe the basics of Chiropractic Philosophy

Explain Chiropractic, Adaptation and Innate Intelligence

Describe how Chiropractic is built upon the basic sciences of anatomy (structure), physiology (function) and the clinical sciences (patient application).

Explain how Chiropractic affects specific conditions     

Explain the basis of chiropractic, as taught by DD Palmer         

Recite DD Palmer's definition of disease

Explain the Founder's concept of subluxation

Using DD's words, justify the statement: Spine straightening is not chiropractic

Compare and contrast spinal manipulation with chiropractic adjustment

Define intelligence

Describe the process of falsification and how it is applied to science

Explain why intelligence must precede energy/matter

Explain why the placebo effect cannot exist in a mechanistic world view

Explain why adaptation is the basis of chiropractic research

History Taking    

Interview a patient using the skills of the patient-centered interview

Elicit from patients their stories of illness, while pursuing the broader life setting in which symptoms occur

Elicit from patients key information in their medical, family, and psychosocial histories

Recognize and respond appropriately to a patient’s emotions as they are expressed

Support and encourage expression of patients’ emotions

Critically assess one’s own performance and use of interviewing skill

Develop interpersonal skills enabling the establishment of long-term relationships with patients.

 Anatomy and Terminology                                       

Define common terminology used in the Chiropractic office

Identify terminology associated with specific conditions and their treatment

Describe locations on the body using appropriate anatomical terminology

Describe the four procedures that constitute vital signs

Identify normal values for pulse, blood pressure, temperature and respiratory rate in the adult

 Record Keeping    

Demonstrate a basic understanding of ICD-10 codes and CPT codes  

Outline the skills for medical documentation record keeping for proper patient care and adherence to insurance protocols

Discuss the History of HIPAA

Define the terminology of HIPAA i.e.: PHI, IIHI, NPP, TPO, NPI, EIN, EDI, etc.

Contrast covered entities vs. non-covered entities

Apply best practices for using abbreviations, addressing legibility, authentication of signatures, and managing the day-to-day flow of your patient records             

Delineate the beginning and end of episodes of patient care, how to record these episodes, and how to best address these boundaries with patients

Define medically necessary care, and differentiate it from clinically appropriate care

Assess examples we’ll use of documentation across the life cycle of the patient’s chart from history to discharge and on through maintenance and wellness care     

Describe outcome assessment and its application in patient-centered care

Explain how outcome assessment documentation benefits the patient, the clinician, the profession, and third party payors

Define the skills necessary to incorporate an outcomes-based approach to patient-centered health care

Summarize the importance of integrating the use of treatment goals with patients

Assess sample clinical treatment notes

Differentiate between acceptable and unacceptable daily treatment notes

Demonstrate the application of outcome assessment through clinical examples

Professional Standards of Conduct    

Demonstrate the importance of communicating in an ethical manner and what that entails

Develop an understanding of what 'spin' is, why it is unethical and how to monitor and minimize/stop it

Evaluate the barriers to effective and ethical communication

Develop an understanding of exactly what takes place/needs to take place during the provider/client interaction

Discover what it is that patients want from their visits to a provider

Appraise how to deal with challenging clients and situations

Define the terms confidential information and confidentiality.

Identify the relationship of a patient's legal right to privacy with his reasonable expectations regarding confidential information.

Describe how the telling and keeping of secrets is relevant to understanding the importance of confidentiality.

Discuss the ethical norms involved in keeping and breaking professional confidences.

Name five general legal exceptions to the professional standard of practice that confidences should not be broken.

Consider practical options that a professional can take when faced with the possibility of breaking a confidence.

Discuss some important aspects of documentation that affect confidentiality.

Compare ethical issues of confidentiality traditionally conceived with those that have arisen because of computerized medical records and patient care information systems.

Read case scenarios illustrating ethical decision making

Describe how trust and trustworthiness give shape to the idea of respect between patient and health professional

Assess the roles of competence and reassurance in strengthening the necessary connections between you and the patient

Explain the phenomena of transference and countertransference in the health professional and patient relationship

Contrast courteous behaviors with casualness and how each is perceived by the patient to bridge the gap of estrangement between you when you fi rst meet and as the relationship develops

Give some examples of what it means to focus on caring behaviors

Distinguish contractual characteristics of the health professional and patient relationship from covenantal characteristics and evaluate the role of each

Perform an exercise to identify personal concepts of touch

Create practical applications for healthcare practitioners with regard to gender, touch, and sexuality

Define sexual misconduct

Recognize the difference between sexual misconduct and sexual harassment

Critique different models of misconduct

Develop guidelines of dealing with a patient who is attracted to you

Develop guidelines of dealing with feeling an attraction

Discuss the six factors for a safe practice

Describe the new partnership between healthcare providers and patients

Arizona Administrative Code

Cite the Arizona administrative code as it pertains to chiropractic assistants

Treatment & Conditions   

Compare and contrast the etiology of neck pain

Describe the clinical presentation of numerous common cervical conditions

Outline the diagnostic evaluation of common cervical conditions

Differentiate cervicogenic headache from migraine

Explain the standard treatment approaches to numerous cervical spine conditions

Describe the risk factors associated with vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency

Summarize the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of whiplash

Describe the clinical presentation of numerous common thoracic conditions

Outline the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of common thoracic conditions

Differentiate thoracic zygapophysial joint pain from costovertebral joint pain

Identify the causes of upper cross syndrome

Compare the clinical presentation of vascular versus neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome

Describe Scheuermann Disease

Describe the clinical presentation of numerous common lumbar and sacroiliac conditions

Outline the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of common lumbar and sacroiliac conditions

Differentiate Maigne syndrome and piriformis syndrome

List the signs and symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis

Recognize the difference between sacro-iliac joint syndrome and lumbar zygapophysial joint pain

Describe the common treatment approaches for lower cross syndrome

Explain functional weakness in the lumbar spine

Compare and contrast cauda equina syndrome and lumbar spinal stenosis

Describe the clinical presentation of numerous systemic conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system

Outline the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of common systemic conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system

Explain the relationship between osteoporosis and spinal compression fractures

Describe the clinical progression in ankylosing spondylitis

Summarize the findings in intervertebral disc disruption and spinal nerve root compression

Distinguish osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease

Identify risk factors to developing myofascial pain syndrome and spondylolisthesis

Describe the clinical presentation of common metabolic and systemic conditions that may be encountered in clinical practice

Assess how different metabolic and systemic conditions can influence the patient’s overall health

Explain how certain conditions are caused and effected by life style choices

Summarize standard current treatment approaches for common metabolic and systemic conditions

Recognize the differences and similarities of common inflammatory arthropathies

Describe the mechanism of the development of chronic pain syndrome

Differentiate between the production of pain and the perception of pain

Recognize how central sensitization occurs

Explain the concept of visceral referred pain

Identify common referral patterns for visceral pain

CPR Training 

The CA Candidate must complete the 4 hour CPR training and receive certification in Basic Life Support certified by the American Heart Association. Courses are provide by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross as well as a number of private training providers.  We will provide links to the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross CPR training sites