Palmer College of Chiropractic

Academic Programs

D.C. Curriculum

• Curriculum by Tri
• Curriculum by Discipline

The curriculum focuses on the teaching and subsequent evaluation of student performance in 14 areas of clinical competency required by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), plus six additional areas identified and defined by Palmer. These competencies along with the Palmer Abilities present our vision of the specific knowledge, skills and attitudes that will be demonstrated by all Palmer graduates.

Competencies for the Chiropractic Graduate:

CCE Competencies:

• History Taking
• Physical Examination
• Neuromusculoskeletal Examination
• The Psychosocial Assessment
• Diagnostic Studies
• Diagnosis or Clinical Impression
• Case Management
• Adjusting Competencies
• Emergency Care Competencies
• Case Follow-up and Review
• Record Keeping
• The Doctor-Patient Relationship
• Professional Issues
• Non-adjustive Therapeutic Procedures

Additional clinical competencies identified by Palmer College:

• Patient Wellness and Public Health Issues
• Nutrition
• Patient Education
• Business Management Issues
• Chiropractic History and Philosophy
• Information Literacy

Each of the competencies has associated with it a cognitive, an affective and a psychomotor component. For example, a student studying radiology examination should, among other things, be able to demonstrate knowledge of the various physical and chemical processes involved in taking an X-ray, demonstrate an attitudinal awareness of patient apprehensions and discomfort, and demonstrate the capability to select a proper exposure technique.

The Palmer Chiropractic Abilities

Effective Communication
The competent Palmer graduate demonstrates effective verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills with appropriate sensitivity, expressivity and control for a wide range of health care related activities, including patient care, intra and interprofessional communications (e.g., consultation, concurrent care and referral), health education, and record-keeping and reporting. The graduate is skilled in communicating to a variety of audiences including single patients and public forums.

Professional Growth and Lifelong Learning
The competent Palmer graduate, recognizing the limitations of his/her knowledge and experience, seeks to gain and apply new knowledge and skill. The graduate is information and technology literate and adapts to change. The graduate demonstrates a willingness to contribute positively to the community, society, the body politic and the chiropractic profession.

Moral Reasoning and Professional Ethics
The competent Palmer graduate practices personal integrity through moral decision-making and accepts responsibility for the consequences of his/her actions. The graduate acknowledges the existence and nature of different value systems of patients and others. The graduate recognizes the ethical dimensions of clinical practice and the choices necessary to maintain his/her own ethical integrity.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
The competent Palmer graduate identifies problems and their cause(s), and applies a logical decision-making process to manage them. Alone and collaboratively, the graduate formulates successful strategies for various situations. The graduate applies critical thinking to problem-solving and clinical reasoning.

Philosophy and History of Chiropractic
The competent Palmer graduate explores, understands, and critically assesses the work of influential thinkers in the history and philosophy of chiropractic and compares and contrasts chiropractic with other health care approaches. The graduate recognizes the impact of the role of chiropractic in the past, present and future health care environment and is able to convey the philosophical construct of chiropractic to multiple audiences. The graduate uses reasoned dialogue and logical argumentation when challenging traditional assumptions of health and adapts his/her thinking to new knowledge.

Integrating Basic Science into the Practice of Chiropractic
The competent Palmer graduate demonstrates fundamental understanding of anatomy and physiology and synthesizes basic science knowledge to explain health-related issues. The graduate explains current concepts in subluxation theory and models and conceptually interprets pathophysiology using current scientific understanding.

Patient Evaluation Skills
The competent Palmer graduate gathers health data through application of fundamental clinical skills (e.g., history, regional examination, spinal examination, and lab) and applies reasoning to formulate a clinical diagnosis with differentials. The graduate applies best practices/evidence-based use of diagnostic tools, procedures and decision making.

Patient Management Skills
The competent Palmer graduate applies principles of case management, integrating care with other health professions when appropriate. The graduate demonstrates effective skeletal adjusting skills and understands the role of rehabilitative and supportive exercise and nutrition in improving health. The graduate promotes health improvement, wellness and disease prevention through appropriate care and education. The graduate recognizes and practices within the boundaries of medico-legal issues associated with patient care.

Health Care in Social and Community Contexts
The competent Palmer graduate understands epidemiological principles regarding the nature and identification of health issues in diverse populations and recognizes the impact of psychosocial and environmental factors on general health. The graduate understands the role of chiropractic in healthcare from a sociological perspective and accommodates diverse populations and environments in providing individualized patient care.

Business Management
The competent Palmer graduate understands legal and malpractice implications of decision-making and applies principles and practices of business management, financial management, marketing, insurance reporting, and managed care in a legal and ethical manner.

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