Blum CL, "6th Annual 'Research Agenda Conference'"
Developing a firm foundation in the world of research is essential for a strong future for SOT and healthcare in general. Each year a prestigious “Research Agenda Conference” (RAC) is organized where the “tops” in research and the colleges come together to discuss the future of chiropractic and chiropractic research.
A keynote speaker at the conference, John A Austin, PhD from the Complementary Medicine Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, discussed “Chiropractic: Manipulation, Mind body, or Energy Therapy: Implications for Research.” Dr. Austin’s presentation focused on encouraging chiropractic research to include and embrace the vitalistic and subtle energies. He suggested two possible research questions:
(1) Can we use random event generators (REGs) and cardiac coherence indices to detect ‘subtle energies’ following spinal manipulation and are such changes correlated with clinical outcomes?
(2) Can we study individuals who claim to ‘see’ subtle energies and test (under blinded conditions) their ability to observe these changes in energy patterns following spinal manipulation?
Another interesting panel discussion, involving experts ranging from chiropractic college presidents to researchers in the field, focused on encouraging future chiropractic research. It quickly became apparent that doctors in practice are otherwise occupied, not trained in publishing, and do not see the value of research publication. Students, who are also expected to publish, are more concerned with passing classes and financial burdens. James Dillard, MD, DC, Lac, suggested that the schools need to refocus their priorities and direction regarding research. He also pointed out the existence of NIH government grants for research for which colleges can apply.
Lastly Daniel Redwood, DC and Anthony Rosner, PhD, reviewed a paper they had written concerning the importance of context:
Morely J, Rosner AL, Redwood D, A Case Study of Misrepresentation of the Scientific Literature: Recent Reviews of Chiropractic, Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine, 2001; 7(1): 65-78.
This paper is based on the following publications:
(1) “Chiropractors’ Use of X-Rays,” a commentary published in the British Journal of Radiology (Ernst, 1998),
(2) “Chiropractic for Low Back Pain: We Don’t Know Whether It Does More Good Than Harm,” an editorial in the British Medical Journal (Ernst and Assendelft, 1998), and
(3) “Adverse Effects of Spinal Manipulation,” a chapter in the textbook Essentials of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (Ernst, 1999).
Healthcare professionals expect the peer review publications to make sure that what they print is
(a) accurate,
(b) not purposefully misleading, and
(c) demonstrative of integrity in scientific reporting.
Ernst, a well respected researcher, was found to include “repeated misuse of references, misleading statements, highly selective use of certain published work, and errors in citation and that these misrepresentations were clearly intentional. While to some, this may not seem like anything new, this article, appearing as it does in a multidisciplinary journal, will hopefully encourage greater diligence by those involved in the peer review process and discourage publishing by those who write without supportive facts.
The next RAC Conference on March 14–16th, 2002, in New Orleans, will be held in conjunction with the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) Educational Conference. SOTO-USA will be presenting a poster presentation relating to SOT.