All applicants/students should possess functional use of the somatic senses, adequate motor capabilities, professional attitudes and behaviors to manage situations in the classroom, laboratory and clinic in which these attributes would be employed, and must be able to integrate data acquired via these abilities sufficient to successfully complete the program. Accommodations can be made for some disabilities in certain of these areas, but a candidate must meet the essential technical standards in such a way that he or she will be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner. The use of a trained intermediary is not acceptable in many clinical situations as it implies that a candidate’s judgment must be mediated by someone else’s power of selection and observation. The following entries are intended to provide a framework for applicants and students to understand the necessary personal attributes integral to satisfactory performance in chiropractic education:
Observational Skills: Students must be able to observe and ascertain in the lecture hall, laboratory and clinic setting sufficient that the student can identify all necessary details, receive and record clinical information, and read and interpret all forms of diagnostic imaging.
Communication Skills: Students must be able to communicate professionally, effectively and sensitively with patients, their families and all members of the health care team. Candidates must show evidence of effective communication skills in the language of instruction.
Motor Function: Students must be able to perform basic diagnostic procedures (e.g., palpation, auscultation) and possess the strength and coordinated motor movements required to provide standard techniques and procedures associated with a chiropractic education in a safe and effective manner.
Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative, Quantitative Abilities: Students must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize. Problem solving, a critical skill demanded of chiropractors, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In order to complete the requirements for the DC degree, students must be able to demonstrate mastery of these skills and the ability to use them together in a timely fashion in clinical problem solving and patient care.
Behavioral and Social Attributes: Students must possess behavioral and social attributes including compassion, empathy, altruism, integrity, ethics, responsibility, emotional stability, tolerance and the ability to adapt to change. As much of the technical instruction in the programs requires reciprocal application of chiropractic and adjunctive techniques, students must have the ability and willingness to receive chiropractic and adjunctive procedures. The College may temporarily excuse a student from receiving chiropractic and adjunctive procedures provided that there is a specific medical contra-indication, as determined in writing by a licensed health care professional.
Applicants and students unable to resolve deficiencies in these areas with reasonable accommodation will be counseled to pursue alternate career paths.