SOTO-USA President's Address
Charles L. Blum, DC FICS
Many who are new to SOTO-USA have expressed interest in our intentions for the future. Our goals at present consist of five, 10, and even 20 year-plans in terms of research, education, and peer review publishing.
RESEARCH
In the legislature regarding law, in the judiciary regarding malpractice, or in the colleges regarding viability of a chiropractic technique, where do these departments or organizations look? The answer is: to our peer reviewed literature. Dr. DeJarnette, the founder of SOT, devoted decades of his life to research. We believe that furthering his work can only be done through strong support of our research institutions, our peer reviewed research journals, and publishing .
PUBLICATION
Our first and foremost goal of research is for accurate documentation and validity studies of chiropractic and other, allied manipulative health care providers. With this in mind, we are promoting the N=1 study as a method of getting our information "out there". Areas of study will include cranial bone dynamics, meningeal interrelationships, viscerosomatic-somatovisceral relationships, and inter- and intra-examiner reliability studies. We plan to work closely with the Foundation of Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER) and will look to them for guidance.
PEER REVIEWED JOURNALS
As part of our membership packet, you automatically receive either a subscription to Chiropractic Technique [As of April 2002 since Chiropractic Technique is no longer being published we are offering a free subscription to Journal of Neuromusculoskeletal System] or a discounted subscription to the Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT). This is just the beginning of our commitment to support our research journals. We have also arranged discounts of three other excellent chiropractic peer reviewed research journals, the Journal of Neuromusculoskeletal System , Journal of Chiropractic Research, and Topics in Clinical Chiropractic . We encourage you to support chiropractic and chiropractic research by subscribing to all of these excellent journals. Please see your membership packet for information.
LITERATURE REVIEW
There is only one research search engine which puts all of the peer reviewed chiropractic and osteopathic literature at your fingertips: Mantis, and it can be found through www.chiroaccess.com or contacted through the FCER literature search help line at (800) 743-3282. Dr. Ronald Rupert and his son Joe Rupert have worked tirelessly to support the chiropractic profession's desire for updated research. Dr. Rupert will be speaking at our Chicago symposium, August 24-27, instructing doctors how to publish a simplified, N=1 study. This will enable you to publish the history, treatment, and clinical response of your interesting cases in the peer review literature and become familiar with literature searches.
FOUNDATION FOR CHIROPRACTIC EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
A portion of members' dues to SOTO-USA will be donated to FCER to further chiropractic research and education. This relationship will expand our understanding of SOT as well as perpetuate Dr. DeJarnette's legacy. Certification and Text Publication:
TEXT PUBLICATION AND FOUNDATIONAL MODULES
We are presently creating a series of teaching modules closely adhering to Dr. DeJarnette's 1984 SOT Text, 1980 CMRT Text, 1960 Extremity Text, and 1979-80 Cranial Text, which many consider his "completed works". Our goal is not to modify or eliminate any of Dr. DeJarnette's work but to clarify and improve its communication.
ADVANCED MODULES
Continuing our policy of strict adherence to Dr.DeJarnette's teachings, we will offer modules incorporating more advanced aspects of Dr. DeJarnette's work as well as research of his students and related techniques for the benefit of more experienced practitioners. For instance, speakers at the Chicago symposium will include Dr. George Goodheart of Applied Kinesiology (AK), Dr. Scott Walker of Neuro- Emotional Technique (NET), and Dr. Bob Walker of Chirodontics.
CERTIFICATION SOTO-USA will have reciprocity with all SOT organizations [until December 2002] and honor their member's certifications in basic proficiency, advanced proficiency, and craniopathy. We hope to mirror the SOTO Europe program so that all SOTO groups will have consistency and reciprocity regarding certification. SOTO Europe is presently formulating teaching and certification programsfor SOT and SOT Cranial in a way that will put SOT years ahead of any other technique.
Our plans include a diplomate program that will be comparable to other diplomates in neurology and orthopedics, involving a 2 -3 year, state of the art course based in current advances in neurology, orthopedics, rehabilitation, and neuro-radiology research as it relates to SOT. How else can we present ourselves as advance-certified cranial experts if we are not completely familiar with conditions we treat? How can we treat disc herniations and not be familiar with reading MRI studies? Since advanced degrees have greater prestige when they are examination based, it is unclear at this time whether advanced degrees such as diplomate or fellow will be awarded solely on the basis of publishing in peer review journals. Nevertheless, SOTO-USA is committed to supporting and aiding doctors in publishing SOT related information in any peer review journal.
PUBLICATION
Since so few doctors have had the opportunity to write papers for peer reviewed journals, SOTO-USA will offer interested doctors assistance in preparing papers for publication. Ideally the help will come from a PhD familiar with publication and another doctor, usually a chiropractor, familiar with SOT publication Together, they will guide the author through the publication they may be included as co-authors. They will also guide the author through the revision processes until the paper has been accepted for publication. After doctors have had some experience, they will then be invited to take part themselves in the mentoring process to help other authors interested in publishing.
EPILOGUE
SOTO-USA is taking bold steps into the next millennia, fully aware that things of value take time and dedication. We are dedicated to giving and being of service to the chiropractic community and “those that have a shared belief that patient care is paramount and that knowledge and information provide us the tools to offer our patients the finest care.”