Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Background: In South Africa there is a part of the chiropractic training curriculum that serves to provide the student with experience in multiple spheres namely: general practical hands-on experience, how to treat and interact with “real” patients, as well as how to run a clinic. However, being a training institution, the students are protected from some real life situations, pitfalls and difficulties that may be experienced when establishing their own practice. To date no studies investigating the experiences of new graduates as they embark on their new chosen profession outside the “dome of protection” offered by the training institution, have been done. This lack of knowledge makes it difficult for newly qualified graduates as to what to expect when opening their own practices.
Aim: The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of chiropractors in their first year of practice in Johannesburg, Gauteng. Furthermore, as there is no insight on the possible difficulties experienced when establishing a chiropractic practice in SA, the outcome of this study would aid in contributing to the body of knowledge for the profession and identify potential areas where newly qualified chiropractors experience difficulty in the establishment of their own private practices. This study may also indicate areas for future research.
Method: A qualitative phenomological research design that is exploratory, descriptive and contextual in nature was used in this study. The population target for this study was chiropractors in Johannesburg registered as such with the AHPCSA, who started their own private practices not more than three to fifteen months earlier. The sampling approach employed was purposive sampling to obtain information rich participants. Data was collected by means of phenomenological interviews and reflective field notes. Data saturation (as determined by an independent coder) was...