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