OBJECTIVE: To assist in assessing practicing DCs' attitudes toward and expressed needs for prevention-related training, particularly those topics most relevant to a primary care practice.

DESIGN: Data were obtained from a mail survey of a random sample of 753 U.S. chiropractors. Data analysis included stratification and multiple logistic regression to examine the effects of gender, years of practice and chiropractic college attended on training, reported in 23 prevention topics. Responses were compared with those from a similar published survey of MDs.

SETTING: The sampling frame was stratified into eight geographic regions with approximately equal numbers of DCs.

PARTICIPANTS: The sampling frame consisted of chiropractors listed in the 1993-4 edition of the National Directory of Chiropractic.

RESULTS: The survey response rate was 65.3%. Although 90.4% of respondents consider themselves primary care practitioners, a significantly fewer (p = .00) 78.5% reported adequate training as such in chiropractic college. Fewer women than men reported adequate training. Respondents with fewer years in practice reported more training in chiropractic college for fourteen of twenty-three prevention topics than respondents with more years in practice. Differences in reported training were detected among graduates of different chiropractic colleges in two topics: cancer detection and immunization, con aspect. Comparing this survey to that of MDs, more primary care MDs than DCs reported training in every topic. When training in addition to that in chiropractic college was reported, DCs reported training that more closely approximated primary care MDs.

CONCLUSIONS: The self-reported information in this survey may provide some insight into respondents' perception of their education in prevention and their need for additional training. These findings indicate that although prevention training seems to be increasing in the chiropractic colleges, an apparent need exists for further emphasis on preventive care, particularly in areas most relevant to a primary care practice.

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