Chiropractic physicians in the hospital setting: the experiences at a multi-disciplinary facility

Article Abstract:

Several articles in the August 1991 issue of the Journal of Chiropractic address the issue of hospital privileges for chiropractic physicians. The current report focuses on the history of this trend, which began in the early 1980s. The author recounts the emergence of chiropractic as a department within his medical facility, one of the first in the US to include the specialty. The hospital's owner, Richard Stephenson, had personal experience with the traditional health care system's approach to treating serious illness and wanted to find an alternative approach that would allow patients to choose innovative therapies. He began to develop his ideas after buying a hospital in Illinois. A new board of directors was picked, the latest technological equipment was purchased, and a laboratory to carry out research on terminal and degenerative illnesses was set up. Physicians from several specialties, including chiropractic, were recruited. In spite of the atmosphere of acceptance of chiropractic, biases against the specialty remained and some staff physicians objected. For the most part, these opinions gave way when physicians saw the level of competence possessed by the chiropractors on the staff. A particular focus of the hospital was the development of a special program for treating cancer, which includes conventional treatment, diet therapy, chiropractic and other adjunctive therapies. Chiropractors treat the musculoskeletal problems of these patients, many of whom must lie in bed in positions that cause undue stress on their spines. Doctors of chiropractic can admit patients to the hospital and a complete chiropractic department is available. The most important reason to include chiropractic in hospitals is to allow patients to receive the best possible care. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Officials and employees, Hospitals, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Stephenson, Richard

---

Diagnosis and management of alcohol and drug abuse in chiropractic patients

Article Abstract:

Since alcohol and drug abuse are common, it is likely that chiropractors will see patients that have these problems. It is estimated that 15 out of every 100 patients seeking chiropractic care have an alcohol abuse problem. Alcohol abuse has been associated with a loss of bone mass in the hip and with limb fractures. Also, patients with drug abuse problems have five times as many injuries and their medical benefit costs are 40 percent higher than for patients who do not abuse drugs. Since a goal of chiropractic is to provide holistic care, chiropractors should be prepared to deal with the issues of alcohol and drug abuse. This article describes methods that chiropractors can use for the screening, diagnosis, and management of patients with these problems. The first step is to obtain an accurate alcohol and drug use history of the patient. Patients with a problem may become angry when asked many questions. On the other hand, patients without a problem are likely to respond with a simple no when asked if they drink or use drugs. Alcohol abuse can be defined as drinking that causes adverse consequences. It is important to determine the frequency and quantity of alcohol or drug use. If the patient has symptoms of tremor, nausea, vomiting, weakness, sweating, or insomnia when they abstain from drinking, then they have a problem. Many patients who abuse alcohol or drugs also have marital and family problems. These patients should be referred for treatment by a mental health professional with experience in treating patients with alcohol and drug abuse. The chiropractor should encourage the patient to seek professional help for their condition and make them feel they can return for chiropractic care even if they do have an alcohol or drug abuse problem. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Management, Diagnosis, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Chiropractors

---

You can put chiropractic into schools

Article Abstract:

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has produced an educational program entitled 'Your Friend Ben' designed to teach children about health and safety, and general spinal health and chiropractic health care. The program is targeted towards children at the kindergarten to third grade level, and was successfully implemented in a school in Pennsylvania by Dr. Louis Sportelli, chairman of the ACA's board of governors. The program continued over a 10-week period, and included video-tape presentations, and coloring and exercise sheets completed by the children. Sportelli also spoke to the third grade class on the importance of good health habits. The 'Your Friend Ben' program was designed by educators for educators, and provides the teacher with everything needed to conduct a 10-week health program. The program kit includes an introductory story to be read to the children by their teacher entitled 'Your Friend Ben: A Story of Benjamin Franklin'. Posters, songs, and puppet materials are also included, along with 10 five-minute video cartoons that each focus on a health and safety concept. Sportelli believes the children are the future, and their knowledge and attitudes will have great influence. The video stories also appeared on his local cable television station and received an excellent response from both parents and children. Sportelli received over 30 letters from the children who participated in the school project that reflected what they learned about good diet, exercise, safety, drugs and health decisions as a result of the program. The program kit is available through the ACA's professional services department. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Equipment and supplies, Children, Social policy, Teaching, Preventive medicine, Medicine, Preventive, Instructional materials, Preventive health services for children, American Chiropractic Association

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Percutaneous central venous catheterization: three years' experience in a neonatal intensive care unit. Longitudinal changes in the bone mineral content of term and premature infants
• Abstracts: Effect on physician-scientists of the low funding rate of NIH grant applications. The anatomy of medical school patenting
• Abstracts: Chiropractic looking good: when will the other shoe drop? A thousand points of light for chiropractic

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.