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Journal article
Program standards and student competencies among global chiropractic accreditation agencies: a content analysis
BMC medical education, Vol.25(1), 1473
2025
Abstract
Background
Accreditation of healthcare provider training programs ensures graduate competency and provides a means for programs to improve. Accreditation consistency assures the public that healthcare providers have similar basic training across world regions. Currently, it is unknown if chiropractic accrediting agencies have congruent standards globally. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate similarities and differences in student competencies and program standards among four chiropractic accreditation agencies worldwide.
Methods
A quantitative content analysis was performed on accreditation standards from regional international accreditation agencies responsible for accrediting the majority of the world’s chiropractic degree programs. Agencies included the Council on Chiropractic Education (United States), the European Council on Chiropractic Education (Europe, United Kingdom, South Africa), the Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia (Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia), and the Council on Chiropractic Education Canada (Canada). The contents of the accrediting standards were coded using a standardized coding list. A modified Delphi technique was used by 21 international experts from December 1, 2023, to April 18, 2024. After four rounds of consideration to achieve consensus, the contents were analyzed for frequency and congruence of coded items across the accrediting agencies’ standards. A two-way analysis of variance was conducted to identify if there were any differences among the accreditation agencies.
Results
Neither student competencies [F(3,8) = 0.007, p > .05] nor program standards [F(3,4) = 0.002, p > .05] differed significantly across the accrediting agencies. The statistical relationships between accreditation agencies and coding frequencies remained stable across all coded items, with no single code exhibiting differential performance depending on the accrediting body. The overall model showed R2 = 0.96 for student competencies and R2 = 0.87 for program standards; thus, the models’ predictions align with the observed data.
Conclusions
The study findings demonstrate congruence for student competencies and program standards among chiropractic accreditation agencies across multiple geographic regions. The patterns of content were stable and consistent across the four accrediting agencies, with no evidence of differential effects among the agencies. In addition, this study provides essential details and standardized codes for agencies’ documents, which may facilitate dialogue and comprehension among agencies, educators, regulators, governing officials, and other stakeholders in chiropractic education.
Details
- Title
- Program standards and student competencies among global chiropractic accreditation agencies: a content analysis
- Authors/Creators
- Claire D. Johnson - National University of Health SciencesBart N. Green - National University of Health SciencesLyndon Amorin-Woods - Murdoch University, School of Allied HealthDavid Byfield - University of South WalesWaleska Crespo-RiveraPhilip Dewhurst - Bournemouth UniversityChantale DoucetAndy DunnMarina Fox - New Zealand College of ChiropracticAmanda Jones-Harris - Bournemouth UniversityCarolina Kolberg - Universidade FeevaleCharmaine M Korporaal - Durban University of TechnologyCraig LittleDaniel Moore - Teesside UniversityJohn Mrozek - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemGary Schultz - University of Western StatesGregory Snow - Palmer College of ChiropracticStephney Whillier - Macquarie UniversityDavid Wickes - Canadian Memorial Chiropractic CollegeYi Kai Wong - International Medical UniversityChristopher Yelverton - University of JohannesburgIgor Himelfarb
- Publication Details
- BMC medical education, Vol.25(1), 1473
- Publisher
- BioMed Central Ltd unless otherwise stated. Part of Springer Nature.
- Number of pages
- 9
- Identifiers
- 991005821344907891
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2025.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Allied Health
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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