Robyn Beirman

CAM practitioners in integrative practice in New South Wales, Australia: a descriptive study

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to examine the role of complementary and alternative medical (CAM) practitioners in integrative practices where general practitioners (GPs) and CAM practitioners were co-located. DESIGN This study used grounded theory, a qualitative methodology from the interpretive paradigm. SETTING A total of 23 integrative practitioners (10 general practitioners and 13 naturopaths) were interviewed. The informants were drawn from 16 integrative practices and one non-integrative general medical practice. RESULTS In 11 out of 16 integrative practices the CAM practitioners yielded their primary contact role to the GPs. CAM practitioners were restricted to expanding the range of treatment options available to patients. However, the role of the CAM practitioners was influenced by the level of CAM training the GP(s) in the practice had undertaken. The more CAM training the GPs had undertaken, the more CAM practitioners were enlisted as diagnosticians as well as treatment providers. CONCLUSION CAM practitioners in integrative practices had an accessory role to the GPs in the practice, deferring diagnosis and assessment activities to the GPs. However, where GPs had significant training in CAM, the CAM practitioners role included both treatment and diagnostic activities.

Curriculum mapping within an Australian master of chiropractic program: Congruence between published evidence for chiropractic and student assessment tasks.

OBJECTIVE This study sought to determine congruence between student assessment tasks within the master of chiropractic curriculum at Macquarie University and 2 separate but related domains: (1) disorders commonly presenting to chiropractors and (2) musculoskeletal conditions for which there is published evidence that chiropractic treatment is effective. METHODS A literature review was undertaken to determine which musculoskeletal disorders commonly present to chiropractors and the conditions for which there is published evidence that chiropractic treatment is effective. These 2 domains were then mapped to the assessment tasks within the curriculum and analyzed. The proportion of time allocated to theory versus skill acquisition was also determined. RESULTS Assessment tasks within the curriculum specifically focus on low back pain, neck pain, lower extremity pain, thoracic pain, and adhesive capsulitis. This curriculum mapping demonstrates congruence between the student assessment tasks and published evidence for chiropractic. The assessments also contain an appropriate balance between theory and skills acquisition. CONCLUSION There is congruence between the assessment tasks within the curriculum and the 2 domains against which it was mapped. Thus, completion of the curriculum provides training relevant to conditions that commonly present to chiropractors and musculoskeletal conditions for which chiropractic treatment is effective.