An exploration of trauma-informed care curricula in chiropractic programs: A scoping document analysis protocol

Area of Science:

• Public health
• Medical education
• Chiropractic care

Background:

• Trauma significantly impacts mental and physical health, necessitating trauma-informed care (TIC) in healthcare.
• Chronic pain, a common trauma comorbidity, often leads patients to seek chiropractic care.
• The integration of TIC principles into chiropractic education remains largely unassessed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the presence and extent of TIC principles within educational curricula of accredited Doctor of Chiropractic Programs (DCPs) in the US and Canada.
• To identify potential gaps in trauma-sensitive education within chiropractic training.
• To inform curriculum development for enhanced patient care.

Main Methods:

• A scoping document analysis of curricula documents (handbooks, catalogs, syllabi) from CCE-USA accredited DCPs.
• Evaluation for TIC-related terms using frameworks from SAMHSA and Harvard Medical School.
• Assessment of core TIC principles: safety, trust, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity.

Main Results:

• Quantification of TIC principle inclusion in chiropractic education across the US and Canada.
• Identification of trends and specific gaps in trauma-sensitive education within DCPs.
• Data to guide future curriculum enhancements.

Conclusions:

• Findings will inform curriculum review and development in Doctor of Chiropractic Programs.
• Effective integration of TIC can improve care for patients with trauma histories.
• Enhancing chiropractic education with TIC principles is crucial for patient outcomes.