Chiropractic radiologists: a survey of demographics, abilities, educational attitudes and practice trends

To assess the education, abilities, practices and opinions of chiropractic radiologists.

Eight-page survey with two mailings.

One hundred seventy-five diplomates of the American Chiropractic Board of Radiology listed with the American Chiropractic College of Radiology office.

Of the surveys mailed, 111 of the 175 were returned from the individuals listed with the American Chiropractic College of Radiology office. After excluding the deceased and those with a self-reported retired status, the response rate was calculated as 66%. Of those who responded, 81% were male; the mean age was 46.4 +/- 11.2 yr (mean +/- standard deviation). Most respondents were residents of California, followed by Canada and Illinois. Thirty-six percent taught at chiropractic colleges. They felt most confident in interpreting plain film studies of the musculoskeletal system. Many have undergone advanced training in specialized imaging. They felt topics related to patient positioning, plain film physics, arthritides, trauma, avascular necrosis and tumors are most important to a chiropractic curriculum. Most respondents felt the use of plain film radiology was most appropriate when the clinical presentation of the patient suggests the strong possibility of underlying disease.

Radiology is an important topic to the education of students and the practice of chiropractic. The results of this survey will assist future decision-making regarding student education and clinical use of radiology.