Pediatric training and practice of Canadian chiropractic and naturopathic doctors: a 2004-2014 comparative study

• Main Authors: Antony Porcino (Author), Leslie Solomonian (Author), Stephen Zylich (Author), Brian Gluvic (Author), Chantal Doucet (Author), Sunita Vohra (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2017-12-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.1186/s12906-017-2024-5; 1472-6882
• Keywords: Pediatrics; Integrative medicine; Complementary medicine; Survey; Naturopathic; Chiropractic; Other systems of medicine; RZ201-999
• Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol 17, Iss 1, Pp 1-8 (2017)

Abstract Background To assess chiropractic (DC) and naturopathic doctors' (ND) knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour with respect to the pediatric patients in their practice. Methods Cross-sectional surveys were developed in collaboration with DC and ND educators. Surveys were sent to randomly selected DCs and NDs in Ontario, Canada in 2004, and a national online survey was conducted in 2014. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, non-parametric tests, and linear regression. Results Response rates for DCs were n = 172 (34%) in 2004, n = 553 (15.5%) in 2014, and for NDs, n = 171 (36%) in 2004, n = 162 (7%) in 2014. In 2014, 366 (78.4%) of DCs and 83 (61%) of NDs saw one or more pediatric patients per week. Pediatric training was rated as inadequate by most respondents in both 2004 and 2014, with most respondents (n = 643, 89.9%) seeking post-graduate training by 2014. Respondents' comfort in treating children and youth is based on experience and post-graduate training. Both DCs and NDs that see children and youth in their practices address a broad array of pediatric health concerns, from well child care and preventative health, to mild and serious illness. Conclusions Although the response rate in 2014 is low, the concerns identified a decade earlier remain. The majority of responding DCs and NDs see infants, children, and youth for a variety of health conditions and issues, but self-assess their undergraduate pediatric training as inadequate. We encourage augmented pediatric educational content be included as core curriculum for DCs and NDs and suggest collaboration with institutions/organizations with expertise in pediatric education to facilitate curriculum development, especially in areas that affect patient safety.