More times then not, when I am in a conversation with a patient I realize they have erroneous idea of what a chiropractic education consists of. Some people are as far off as saying it is a 6 month course. Most of this stems from a lack of knowledge of the profession as a whole. When you take a closer look you will realize that a chiropractic education is comparable to a medical education with the difference in treatment options. The following references give you an overview of chiropractic education and a comparison to medical education.
Chiropractic education in terms of average hours of lecture, laboratories and clinics in 16 Chiropractic Colleges
Variables Total Basic Science Clinical Science
Lecture hours 2,675 1,020 1,655
Laboratories hours 1,115 400 715
Clinical hours 1,010 0 1,010
Total 4,800 1,420 3,380
Source: Center for studies in Health Policy, Inc., Washington, DC. Available at http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/ahcpr/chapter3.htm
Average total contact hours in specific clinical subjects taught in 16 Chiropractic Colleges (includes lectures and laboratories)
Clinical Subject Hours % of Total
Adjustive technique/spinal analysis 555 22%
Physical/clinical/laboratory diagnosis 410 17%
Diagnostic imaging, radiology 305 12%
Principles of chiropractic 245 10%
Orthopedics 135 6%
Physiologic Therapeutics 120 5%
Nutrition/dietetics 90 4%
Professional Practice and ethics 65 3%
Biomechanics 65 3%
Gynecology/obstetrics 55 2%
Psychology 55 2%
Research Methods 50 2%
Clinical Pediatrics and Geriatrics 50 2%
First Aid and emergency 45 2%
Dermatology 30 1%
Otolaryngology 25 1%
Other 160 7%
Total hours of clinical training 2,460 100%
Source: Center for Studies in Health Policy, Inc., Washington, DC. Available at http://www.chiroweb/archives/hcpr/chapter3.htm.
Comparison of the Overall Structure for Chiropractic and Medical Schools.
Chiropractic Schools Medical Schools
Mean Percentage Mean Percentage
Total contact hours 4,822 100% 4,667 100%
Basic science hours 1,416 29% 1,200 26%
Clinical science hours 3,406 71% 3,467 74%
Chiropractic science hours 1,975 41% 0 0
Clerkship hours 1,405 29% 3,467 74%
Source: Center for Studies in Health Policy, Inc., Washington, DC. Available at http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/ahcpr/chapter3.htm.
Comparison of Hours of Basic Science Education in Medical and Chiropractic Schools
Chiropractic Schools Medical Schools
Subject Hours % of Total Hours % of Total
Anatomy 570 40 368 31
Biochemistry 150 11 120 10
Microbiology 120 8 120 10
Public Health 70 5 289 24
Physiology 305 21 142 12
Pathology 205 14 162 14
Total Hours 1,420 100 1,200 100
Source: Center for Studies in Health Policy, Inc., Washington, DC. Available at http://wwwchiroweb.com/archives/ahcpr/chapter3.htm.