4/25/2012

 

History of the Kentucky Chiropractic Society Paraprofessional Training Program

 

Author: J. Christopher Riggs, DC

           

Synopsis-Abstract

 

The Need:

 

In the late 1960’s the need for competent paraprofessional personnel was increasing within the Chiropractic profession in Kentucky and the rest of the country.  Also, at that time and continuing into the early 1970’s, pending legislation and administrative regulation with regard to the qualifications of operators of diagnostic radiation imaging devices in all health care disciplines in the Commonwealth of Kentucky were being contemplated.  The forward thinking leadership of the Kentucky Chiropractic Society at that time saw as desirable, and necessary, the development of specialized education for chiropractic paraprofessionals.  The goal was to develop a standardized program to meet the local demand for qualified paraprofessionals with business, clinical and technical skills applicable to the practice of Chiropractic. In addition these paraprofessionals   would be prepared, in advance, for the adoption of Federal and or State radiation statutes.  The type of training program envisioned for Chiropractic paraprofessional personnel would also include training that would meet and most likely exceed even the most stringent guidelines in advance of any radiation statutes.  

 

The Plan:

 

In order to develop information for the program, two groups of active and successful local Chiropractors were assembled for consultation on the matter.  One of these groups was the Jefferson County Health Education Society, long concerned with chiropractic public relations, educational issues and professional development.  The other group, known as Health Associates, consisted of relatively younger and more recently graduated practitioners who researched practice management issues and procedures as they relate to Chiropractic.

 

This collaborative group represented a cross section of the profession including recently graduated practitioners as well as those with thirty plus years of practice. Coincidently the group included some officers from the various regional Kentucky Chiropractic Societies, one Kentucky Chiropractic Society board member and one member of the Kentucky State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. As a result of this collaborative effort a pilot program was implemented in late 1971.

 

The Pilot Program:

 

The pilot program was scheduled so that the training would be completed over a period of four consecutive months, roughly approximating a three-semester hour course of undergraduate work.    The curriculum was divided into four sections and included x-ray technology, office procedures, clinical procedures and principles and practice of Chiropractic. 

 

The selection of instructors proved to be relatively easy because there was ample talent available among local practitioners to fill our needs.  Selected to instruct in x-ray technology was Dr. Rhea D. Caster, graduate of Texas College of Chiropractic, a certified Chiropractic Roentgenologist and member of the American College of Certified Chiropractic Roentgenologist.  Dr. Bing G. Crosby, graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, a member of Health Associates, who attended many practice management seminars, was chosen to instruct in the area of office procedures and patient management.  Instruction in the area of clinical procedures was assigned to Dr. Carl Harback, a Palmer College of Chiropractic graduate who, while serving in the U.S. Army in Korea, instructed in the nursing division of the U.S. Army Medical Training Program and managed an Orthopedic ward.  Chiropractic principles and practice was taught by Dr. Patrick Riggs, Magna Cum Laude, Palmer College of Chiropractic, 1969.

 

The following individuals also played key roles in planning, continuing participation and ongoing support of this program:

 

G. Harold Byers, Sr., DC, always thinking ahead.

G. Matthew Howard III, DC, Instructor, x-ray physics, technology and placement. 

Ray Houchins, DC, Supporter and lecturer in physiologic modalities.

Terri Byers-Abston, DC, Instructor, program coordinator and director.

Alvin Wax, JD, Attorney

All of the Chiropractors throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky that supported and utilized the services of the program.

The Result:

Initially 22 individuals enrolled for this pilot program. The first lectures were held at the Kentuckiana Children’s Center for Health Education and Research and later at the Jefferson County Chiropractic Society Building.  Both facilities allowed easy access to and use of x-ray and other diagnostic equipment for demonstration purposes. The program was repeated in the spring and fall of each year following the 1971 pilot study.

By 1974 the program teaching staff included a total of six D.C.’s, one radiation physicist-associate, one Master in Communications Arts, one Ph.D. in English, three Ph.D.’s, in Science and one attorney.  As the program grew so did the need for more space and a more central location.   Although the program was not in any way affiliated financially or academically with Bellarmine College (now University), in Louisville, Kentucky we were fortunate to be able to make arrangements for space to hold our classes on Campus.

 

This program met the needs of its time.  The program was continued through the early 1980’s until the proliferation of Chiropractic Assistant and Technologists programs at many Chiropractic Colleges began supplying a pool of qualified assistants and technologist to the profession.  It is interesting to note that most of those programs adopted an educational template similar to the Kentucky Chiropractic Society’s program. For many years the Kentucky Chiropractic Society continued to provide continuing education hours for Chiropractic Radiological Technologist at its annual educational symposiums. 

 

The profession had need, and true to the Kentucky Chiropractic Society’s mission statement, individual doctors and other professionals stepped up giving freely their time and talents, each one in their own measure, each one taking time from their families and practices, to meet the greater need of the chiropractic profession as a whole in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 

 

All of this was accomplished without government resources or much outside help.  The cost of the program was supported by minimal tuition, local and regional Kentucky Chiropractic Society funding and many D.C.’s and other professionals willing to take time from their personal schedules to instruct without salary or other compensation. 

 

About the Author:

 

At the time of the development of the CA/CT program the author was Chairman of the Kentucky Chiropractic Society Professional Services Department.  He was the developer of and the first Director of the Kentucky Chiropractic Society School of Chiropractic Technology.

 

The author received his DC degree, Cum Laude, from Palmer College of Chiropractic.  He holds a BA degree in Psychology from Bellarmine University and a MA in Education from Spalding University.

 

This Kentucky Chiropractic Society program was the basis for the author’s Seminar in Educational Problems post-graduate paper leading to a Master of Arts in Education degree from Spalding University in 1974.

 

In July of 1975 the American Chiropractic Association’s Publications Committee approved the author’s manuscript “Developing a Training Program For Chiropractic Paraprofessionals Which Will Meet Statutory and Professional Requirements,” for publication in the American Chiropractic Association Journal.