Palmer College of Chiropractic West, Academics, Philosophy and Practice

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Palmer College of Chiropractic West

Academics

Discipline of Philosophy & Practice (PA)

The purpose of this area of study is to provide students with an understanding of the philosophical basis of chiropractic, and to relate this understanding to present day health care issues. Chiropractic history, scientific principles and current developments in life sciences and orthodox health care systems provide topics for discussion.

PA 111	Chiropractic Philosophy and Practice I
	(3 lecture hrs. per week)

Lecture/discussion on the role of the chiropractor as a portal-of-entry primary health care provider in today’s health care delivery system; study of chiropractic history and the principles of chiropractic philosophy, science and art.

PA 131	Evidence-based Chiropractic I (Previously “Clinical Reasoning”)
	(2 lecture hrs. per week)
	Prerequisite: PA 111.

Development of skills in critical thinking, clinical questioning, literature search strategies, critical appraisal, application of evidence and evaluation of results. Integration of scientific evidence with clinical experience and patient values. Anatomy of an article, qualitative and quantitative research designs, the process of peer review, search strategies when there is lack of evidence, the inquiry of the scientific foundation for various chiropractic theories. Primer on the history of the relationship between science and philosophy of chiropractic.

PA 211	Chiropractic Philosophy & Practice II
	(3 lecture hrs. per week)
	Prerequisite: PA 111.

Concepts and theories of subluxation, including: mechanisms of production and dysfunction; central versus peripheral neurologic effects; spinal and related structural disrelationships; neuromusculo-skeletal and visceral dysfunction.

PA 212	Evidence-based Chiropractic II (Previously “Clinical Epidemiology”)
	(3 lecture hrs. per week)
	Prerequisite: PA 131

Proficiency in developing clinical questions, literature search strategies, critical appraisal, application of evidence and evaluation of results. Integration of scientific evidence with clinical experience and patient values. In-depth analysis of specific research designs commonly seen in the chiropractic literature. Properties and use of clinical outcome measures; bias, validity, reliability, sensitivity, specificity and concepts in statistics. Professional interaction and debate. Development of verbal and written critical appraisal skills.

PA 411	Chiropractic Philosophy & Practice III
	(2 lecture hrs. per week)
	Prerequisites: PC 332.

Practical experience in oral and written methods of communicating chiropractic philosophy and principles to the public.

PA 431	Chiropractic Philosophy & Practice IV
	(4 lecture hrs. per week)
	Prerequisites: PA 411, PC 421.

Lecture/discussion on the role of chiropractic in today’s society, including principles of chiropractic philosophy, science and art; concepts and theories of a subluxation; the role of the Doctor of Chiropractic as a direct-access primary health care provider and clinician; preparation for successful and competent practice.

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Palmer College of Chiropractic West
90 E. Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134
Phone: (866) 303-7939 or (408) 944-6000 | Fax: (408) 944-6032
e-mail: pccw_admiss@palmer.edu