Doctor of Chiropractic

By graduation, students will demonstrate the ability to:

1. 1 – Assessment & Diagnosis

   Assessment and diagnosis require developed clinical reasoning skills. Clinical reasoning consists of data gathering and interpretation; hypothesis generation and testing; and critical evaluation of diagnostic strategies. This dynamic process includes the collection and assessment of data through history, physical examination, imaging, laboratory tests, and case-related clinical services.

   1. Perform a case-appropriate history that evaluates the patient’s health status.
   2. Perform a case-appropriate examination that leads to the identification of significant findings and determine the need for additional examination, diagnostic and/or confirmatory tests, and consultations.
   3. Perform/order and interpret clinical laboratory, imaging, and other diagnostic studies required for formulating an appropriate diagnosis.
   4. Demonstrate clinical reasoning to generate a corresponding list of current/active diagnosis/es.

2. 2 – Management

   Management involves the development, implementation and monitoring of a patient care plan for positively impacting a patient’s health and well-being, including specific healthcare goals and prognoses. It may include case follow-up, referral, and/or collaborative care.

   1. Use relevant scientific literature and other evidence to inform patient care.
   2. Develop an evidence-informed management plan appropriate to the diagnosis, including elements such as obstacles to improvement, measurable healthcare goals, prognoses, and target endpoint of care in consideration of bio-psychosocial factors, natural history, and alternatives to care.
   3. Identify the need and refer for emergency care as appropriate.
   4. Perform a review of findings that outlines benefits, risks, and alternatives to care and obtain informed consent for care.
   5. Deliver appropriate chiropractic adjustments/manipulations and/or other forms of passive care.
   6. Implement appropriate active care.
   7. Make recommendations for changes in lifestyle behaviors, including activities of daily living and/or dietary and nutritional habits as appropriate.
   8. Identify maximum improvement and document the endpoint of care or determine rationales for continuing care or referral.

3. 3 – Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

   Health promotion and disease prevention requires an understanding and application of epidemiological principles regarding the nature and identification of health issues in diverse populations and recognition of the impact of biological, chemical, behavioral, structural, psychosocial and environmental factors on general health.

   1. Manage health risks and public health issues, including reporting, as required.
   2. Identify, recommend, and/or provide resources (educational, community-based, etc.) for influencing public health.
   3. Apply appropriate hygiene practices in the practice environment.

4. 4 – Communication and Record Keeping

   Effective communication includes oral, written and nonverbal skills with appropriate sensitivity, clarity and control for a wide range of healthcare-related activities, to include patient care, professional communication, health education, record keeping, and reporting.

   1. Document health risks and management options considering the patient’s health care needs and goals.
   2. Exhibit verbal and non-verbal communication skills supportive of patient-centered care.
   3. Safeguard and keep confidential the patient’s protected health and financial information.
   4. Generate patient records, narrative reports, and correspondence that comply with state and federal laws and regulations and applicable/accepted industry standards.

5. 5 – Professional Ethics and Jurisprudence

   Professionals are expected to comply with the law and exhibit ethical behavior.

   1. Maintain appropriate boundaries with patients, including physical, communication (verbal and non-verbal), and emotional.
   2. Maintain professional conduct with patients, peers, staff, and faculty.
   3. Comply with the ethical and legal dimensions of clinical practice.

6. 6 – Cultural Competency

   Cultural competency includes the knowledge, skills, and core professional attributes needed to provide care to patients with diverse values, beliefs, and behaviors, including the tailoring of health care delivery to meet patients' social, cultural, and linguistic needs in an effort to reduce disparities in healthcare delivery.

   1. Communicate respectfully and effectively with patients of diverse social, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds in a manner that protects the dignity of individuals and communities.
   2. Design a care plan that considers and respects the culture of the patient.

7. 7 – Chiropractic Adjustment/Manipulation

   Doctors of chiropractic employ the adjustment/manipulation to address joint and neurophysiologic dysfunction. The adjustment/manipulation is a precise procedure requiring the discrimination and identification of dysfunction; interpretation and application of clinical knowledge; and the use of cognitive and psychomotor skills.

   1. Identify subluxations/segmental dysfunction of the spine and/or other articulations.
   2. Analyze and interpret findings indicating the need for chiropractic adjustment/manipulation.
   3. Identify indications, contraindications, and risk factors for the chiropractic adjustment/manipulation and explain the anticipated benefits, potential complications, and effects to patients.
   4. Apply chiropractic adjustment/manipulation to patients while ensuring patient safety.
   5. Identify the effects following the chiropractic adjustment/manipulation.

8. 8 – Inter-Professional Education

   Students have the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to function as part of an inter-professional team to provide patient-centered collaborative care. Inter-professional teamwork may be demonstrated in didactic, clinical, or simulated learning environments.

   1. Communicate information with health team members in a manner that is understandable, avoiding discipline-specific terminology when possible.
   2. Apply collaborative strategies with members of the healthcare team to support a team approach to patient-centered care.

9. 9 – Leadership and Business Practices

   Leadership and business practices are important abilities required to become successful owners or employees of a healthcare practice. Doctors of Chiropractic apply leadership principles to create a practice environment that serves the interests of patients, optimizes the operations of the office, and complies with professional responsibilities.

   1. Develop and nurture professional relationships with patients, colleagues, and the community.
   2. Implement strategies to be competitive for new employment opportunities.
   3. Explain the role of employers in the management, training/guidance, and support of employees.
   4. Generate and utilize appropriate billing, coding, and other office policies and procedures.
   5. Identify, analyze, and modify marketing and operational strategies based on performance metrics and practice goals.
   6. Operationalize budgets and review financial statements.

Sample Schedule

(A minimum of six elective credit hours must be completed after completion of 4th-trimester coursework)

The program has been accredited through the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) since 1977.

Northeast College of Health Sciences will admit candidates into the Doctor of Chiropractic program whose goals, abilities, and character are consistent with the program’s mission.

Learn more about Admissions requirements

Designed for enrolled chiropractic students who have not yet earned their baccalaureate degree, BPS students earn a bachelor's degree with a major in life sciences while pursuing their doctorate.

Learn more about the BPS program