How to get a More Expansive Chiropractic Education

Now that you’ve made it to chiropractic school, you’ll want to maximize your chiropractic education. The question is, what does that mean … and how do you go about it? The kind of “maximization” not talked about enough is devoting time and energy to chiropractic issues, topics, and profession-based initiatives. In short, it’s important as a student to be an advocate for chiropractic – someone who knows and cares about where the profession is going and how to be an influential voice in that future.

Why Becoming an Advocate is Smart

You’re passionate about chiropractic because you’re enthusiastic about the non-invasive, non-drug approach of doctors of chiropractic, the early patient interaction experience you’ll get as a student, and that you’ll be able to complete your D.C. degree in just 3.3 years.

Why wouldn’t you want to get involved in talking about the benefits of a chiropractic education?

How to Find Your Place as a Chiropractic Advocate

You might be saying, “Hey, I’m just starting chiropractic school. Isn’t that enough to focus on?” Well, yes, deciding to become a doctor of chiropractic is a big, demanding step, and congratulations for taking it. The fact is, there are many ways you can be influential.

Every chiropractic student’s story is different, so what’s important to you will be different than what’s important to someone else. The point is simple: Your chiropractic education is enhanced when you widen your experiences to those beyond the classroom.

Ways to Advance Your Chosen Profession

• Advocate politically to encourage more extensive use of chiropractors in the health care landscape. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), for example, keeps track of legislative issues.
• In your social and community interactions, share your knowledge of the chiropractic profession. More people should know the benefits of chiropractic care for long-term health and well-being.
• Get involved as a volunteer or member of a national, regional, or local organization that helps to recruit, support and encourage chiropractic students.
• Become a contributor to a career day at school, civic meetings, or community events.

What Are the Hot Topics in Chiropractic?

Do you realize there’s a yearly event called the Chiropractic Summit? The summit involves leaders from more than 40 organizations within the profession. It’s the goal of summit attendees to address issues affecting the chiropractic profession.

Some examples:

• National health care reform/Medicare reform
• Doctor of chiropractic practice satisfaction
• Profession-wide collaboration
• Reimbursement/Anti-discrimination
• Public Relations: Communicating the chiropractic story.

Staying informed and keeping up with class and lab assignments is a tall order for chiropractic students. Thankfully, there are some easy ways to know what’s going on. The ACA website is a good start, as are websites for journals like Chiropractic Economics and Journal of Chiropractic Education.

Chiropractic Education at Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC)

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a private, nonprofit, health care focused university in Overland Park, Kansas, a suburb of nearly 190,000 people within the Kansas City metropolitan area. Overland Park is a city known for its livability, family friendliness, and plentiful housing options.

The University’s College of Chiropractic has been a leader in chiropractic education since 1922. In addition to the Doctor of Chiropractic degree, students may apply for the concurrent B.S./D.C. option. This educational choice results in earning both a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology degree and the Doctor of Chiropractic degree, which reduces time in school by as much as a year.

Connect with a CUKC admissions advisor to learn about becoming a chiropractor, or learn more by requesting a free copy of this eBook today: Your Complete Guide to the Chiropractic Profession.