Abstract
The main purpose of the study was:
• To ascertain the clinical knowledge of the UJ’s chiropractic master’s
students to detect and screen suspicious skin lesions.
Additional objectives included:
• To discern exposure patterns, the level of exposure, whether skin screening
is regarded as a role of a chiropractic master’s student and the relationship
between these factors
• Analyse the data as to which areas of knowledge and communication could
be improved on
• International comparison to Glirtho (2015) study on educational standards
for students assessing suspicious skin lesions.
A survey-based quantitative study was conducted to evaluate the clinical
knowledge of all 73 chiropractic master’s students at the UJ. It assessed the
participants skin screening behaviours and knowledge of skin cancer risk factors
and suspicious characteristics of skin lesions. Glithro et al’s (2015) questionnaire
based on UK chiropractors was utilised as a reference and the questions extracted
from her work were adapted and decolonised to the South African context.
Results indicated that majority of the participants agree that skin screening is a part
of their role as a chiropractor. However, the participants seldom follow the correct
exposing procedures with patients and don’t advise their patients on the risk factors
for skin cancer. It was further shown that the clinical knowledge of risk factors and
suspicious characteristics of skin lesions of the participants is adequate, as per the
UJ standards...
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)