Abstract
Background: There is a lack of information regarding South African chiropractors’
views on the importance of anatomical education they received during their
undergraduate training, and if they interpret it as relevant and helpful to their current
clinical practice. The primary aim of this research was to conduct a secondary analysis
of the data collected, utilising two primary studies to evaluate South African
chiropractors’ perception of the clinical relevance of anatomical sciences and
adequacy of teaching in chiropractic curricula.
Methods: A self-administered survey was sent via email to participants. To reiterate,
this research method was used in order to analyse South African chiropractors’
perceptions of the clinical relevance of anatomical sciences and the adequacy of
teaching in chiropractic curricula.
Results: A total of 202 completed surveys were received from an estimated 596
chiropractors in respective provinces, therefore there is an estimated response rate of
33.89%. Responses were represented in terms of sex (59.09% female) and age
(47.5% between the ages of 26 and 35). It was seen that most of participants obtained
their chiropractic qualification in South Africa (96%) and that they graduated between
the years of 2016 and 2021, with most of the participants being clinically active in the
industry between 11 and 20 years (26.5%). The majority of participants were taught
anatomy at the Faculty of Health Science (84.2%) under their anatomical training
programme. It is evident that the respondents viewed the subsequent areas as “most
relevant” for their current clinical practice: in Gross Anatomy (83.2%), Neuroanatomy
(72.8%), followed by Embryology (12.9%) and Histology (10.6%). The participating
individuals viewed their anatomical training to be “most adequate” in Gross Anatomy
(75.2%), Neuroanatomy (43.4%), followed by Embryology (24.1%) and Histology
(38.8%). Throughout their anatomical training it is seen that the majority of participants
acknowledged and valued the vast variety of teaching tools available to them and
teaching strategies bestowed upon them. It was evident that cadaveric dissection and
medical images played a major role in their anatomical training years.
VII
Conclusion: Chiropractors in South Africa perceive Gross Anatomy and
Neuroanatomy as highly relevant to their clinical practice, and only a small portion of
these chiropractors perceive Histology and Embryology as somewhat relevant to their
clinical practice.
Cadaveric dissection appeared to be the most valuable tool when it came to
anatomical training, closely followed by medical images, digital images, prosected
human materials and anatomical models. The teaching mediums least favored
appeared to be laboratory manuals, reference texts and body painting surface
anatomy.