• Schneider MP

• Association of Chiropractic Colleges / congresses

METHODS: At the first meeting of a course titled, “Ethics and Professional Relations”, a survey was administered to develop baseline attitudes towards ethics. The survey was administered a second time following completion of the presentations on the two national association’s codes of ethics and the rules and regulations governing the practice of chiropractic. Each question was scored on a Likert scale from 1-5 with 1indicating Strongly Disagree and 5 indicating Strongly Agree.

RESULTS: A total of 112 senior chiropractic students completed both surveys. Initially, 93% of students agreed or strongly agreed that ethics were important in today’s society, with 94% in this category at follow-up. In response to a question regarding the importance of chiropractors to abide by a code of ethics, 98% initially agreed or strongly agreed and upon follow-up 97% agreed or strongly agreed. Upon initial questioning 43% agreed or strongly agreed that the university rewards students with ethical standards, and at follow-up only 27% agreed or strongly agreed. Initially, 74% of students agreed or strongly agreed that there is a link between success and personal ethics, which increased at 77% at follow-up. On initial evaluation 59% agreed or strongly agreed that in order to be successful one must abide by the law, increasing to 61% on follow-up.

DISCUSSION: As evidenced by the data collected, senior chiropractic students consider ethical standards to be important for society, as well as for chiropractors. However a number of students surveyed did not link personal ethics with success. A disconcerting number of chiropractic students did not believe that one must abide by the law to be successful. Further, a majority of these chiropractic students did not feel that the university rewarded students who exhibited ethical behavior. Further analysis of the data as well as determining the definition of success may lead to a clearer understanding of the incongruence of these students’ beliefs and behaviors. It is recommended that the university further explore student’s attitudes regarding the law, success and ethical behavior.

This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher.