Abstract
M.Tech.
The main purpose of the study was:
• To determine the satisfaction and confidence of the graduates of the University of Johannesburg’s Chiropractic program.
Additional objectives included:
• To discuss the differences between the educations received at South African Chiropractic programmes and internationally recognized Chiropractic programmes by comparing the syllabus offered in each program.
• To determine from the data received which areas of the program could be improved.
There are 132 graduates from the University of Johannesburg’s Chiropractic program. These doctors of Chiropractic have the same skills and knowledge as internationally qualified doctors of Chiropractic however the South African programmes do not have international accreditation. The university is currently going through a process to obtain international accreditation.
The postgraduate student surveys are important tools that can be used to determine where the course could be improved and where it is excelling. Being in daily practice these Doctors of Chiropractic are able to objectively point out the strengths and weaknesses of the current programme at the University. This is integral to the advancement of both the practitioner and the profession.
A questionnaire-based study comprising a convenience sample was used to determine postgraduate student confidence in the Chiropractic course. A total of 47 Chiropractors responded which comprises the sample group that was used in this study.
Results showed that the graduates of the University of Johannesburg’s Chiropractic course are confident in their adjustment skills, diagnostics and the knowledge pertaining to these subjects. As experience increases so does the overall confidence in adjusting techniques. With treating paediatric patients, approximately half the respondents were confident and majority of respondents think it is essential to have paediatrics incorporated into the course. With regards to pharmacology, only 43 of the respondents had had pharmacology as part of the syllabus, all of the respondents were not confident. With regards to research, approximately half of the participants were not confident in doing research. Upon qualifying most postgraduate students open up their own practices.
In conclusion, on the whole the graduates of the University of Johannesburg were confident; however the data indicates that areas relating to research, pharmacology and paediatrics may need investigation.