Resources for Desire2Learn

Because this is a short week following a holiday weekend, this will be a very brief entry. Desire2Learn provides its users a significant amount of support and resources. Here are just a few:

https://documentation.desire2learn.com/  This is a link to the latest updates and news related to the learning management platform.

https://documentation.desire2learn.com/en/Learning%20Environment  This is a link to a large number of video clips which can walk you thorugh all the different functions and options you can use in the D2L environment. From start-up to advanced user, there is material here for you.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=desire2learn+tutorials  This is the company's dedicated youtube channel. On this site, you will find a plethora of youtube clips also showing you how to use the product. I find so much information among these clips.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BKyHBewl7JRk-XTg9Y8NUpAWX2NsPm2_CvYf8fgOSbo/edit?pli=1  This is Brightspace Training Videos on Demand, even more clips for your use.

https://community.brightspace.com/  This is the Brightspace community, where you can post questions and receive answers from other users.

David Sackett, RIP

On May 13, David Sackett died. He was inarguably the Father of evidence-based medicine, and his work has transformed the practice of healthcare in incalculable ways. He began his work by establishing the first Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics in Canada, at McMaster University. McMaster is now renowned as the epicenter of evidence-based care, and we have sent many of our faculty there to take their week-long course in how to teach evidence-based care.

According to the website devoted to the Sackett Symposium, Dr. Sackett was best known for work in three areas: research methods for applied testing of healthcare innovations; use of those methods to evaluate the scientific validity and clinical utility of medical interventions; and education of healthcare clinicians in the use and application of best evidence in practice.

The work at our college has been transformed by his work. We use his approach in what we do- we ask questions, acquire information, appraise that information, apply it, and assess it to determine whether it is working. That cycle repeats itself as time goes on and as our patient either does or does not respond to what we do. What he did, more than anyone before or after, was show how to use research literature and combine it with clinical expertise to benefit the patient, always respecting the patient’s own values. We say this as a mantra now, but it was a seismic shift in how medicine was practiced.

And he acknowledged the evidence-based medicine was not static; it needed to evolve, and it has. He was funny, bold, and at times profane, not afraid to use a select swear word where it was appropriate to make his point. The Users’ Guide to the Medical Literature is based on the series of papers Sackett and others wrote in the 1980s; that book is now in its 3^rd edition, and it helps inform Dr. Mike Haneline’s excellent text “Evidence-Based Chiropractic Practice.”

And he was much of the opinion that once you become seen as an expert, you need to stop and do something else. He did, regularly; He shifted from epidemiology, to compliance and then to writing about clinical trials. Once he became good at something, he stopped and moved to a new area.

We owe him a huge debt, which we repay every day when we use the tools he brought to our attention. He will be missed.

The Point of a Professor: NY Times Article

As I was reading the New York Times this morning, I came across this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/10/opinion/sunday/whats-the-point-of-a-professor.html?ref=opinion. The article is entitled “What’s the point of a professor?” It makes the biting point that there is one part of higher education that falls low on the ladder of “meaningful contacts: the professors.” I tend to agree with this article, and I note that this has been an evolutionary change since the days when I entered the chiropractic profession as an instructor at what was then National College of Chiropractic.

The article points out that while students are generally content with their teachers, they are also not very much interested in them as thinkers and mentors. In general, students are enrolled in our courses, but then they rarely have much contact with us outside of class. They show up, they may even engage in the classroom (though that is certainly not always the case), but they do not seek our counsel once class ends. There are many reasons for this, in my opinion. One is that we do not give them reason to seek us outside of class. This is a bit of “hidden curriculum,” in fact, where we may not send welcoming messages. And students view us as means to an end, the end being getting their degree. Thus, we are something to put up with, rather than to truly engage with. There is a bit of a service attitude; students are consumers and we need to make consumers happy. And there is a need to have good reviews in order to receive promotion. Sometimes good reviews can be had by making life easy for students, rather than challenging them.

Beyond that is the wild world of the internet. I have never gone to- and never will- the website rateyourprofessors.com. What good would come of it? The only reason I can think of to visit that site as a student would be to berate an instructor. In chiroprac6tic education, that could be fore reasons having nothing to do with teaching skills. It could be because of differences in philosophy, for example. But places such as yikyak are growing in size and influence. They place professors into difficult situations- you cannot respond since the system is designed to be anonymous.

In this new world, we need to find ways to reach students. I do not see students myself as a teacher until 9^th trimester. By the time I see them, they are nearly gone, so there is little time to develop long-term relationships. I cannot act as a moral exemplar for them save for the 15 weeks I have them in class before they leave the college. We need to find ways to provide such interactions very early in their time at the college. Work for us all.
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Some of the Highlights of Palmer Homecoming 2015, San Jose Campus

Validating our Traditional Chiropractic Philosophy with Contemporary Science
Christopher Colloca, D.C.
Deep-seated in our roots and central to the chiropractic profession has been the concept of vertebral subluxation.  Although controversy exists over the various definitions of subluxation, our history has provided numerous vertebral subluxation models that science has begun to investigate. In this session, we will explore some of the contemporary models of vertebral subluxation and research into the neuromechanical advances in biomechanics and neurophysiology of chiropractic adjustments. Dr. Colloca will present an overview of his award-winning in vivo research, conducted in both humans and large-animal models, to form a basis to begin to explore our traditional chiropractic philosophy with contemporary science.

Integrated Chiropractic Technique: Primary and Secondary Subluxations of Sacrum

Robert Cooperstein, D.C.
This chiropractic technique seminar compares and contrasts primary and secondary subluxations of the sacrum, with respect to the innominate bones. It proceeds from the pathomechanics of the sacroiliac joint, to typical history and physical examination findings, to adjustive strategies.

Strengthening Palmer’s Core

Dennis Marchiori, D.C.
Chiropractic organizations, whether colleges, support organizations or individual practices, are facing increasingly difficult challenges. The business literature identifies tactics for meeting these challenges. Assessments of an organization’s strengths, desires and environmental compatibility are important to strategically moving forward for success. This opening session to the Homecoming program will focus on several key strategies to continue the College’s heritage.

"Understanding and Preparing for Integrated Onsite Clinic Chiropractic Opportunities"

Bill Updyke, D.C.
This session will provide an overview of the onsite clinic landscape and how chiropractic has and continues to make inroads; how you can position yourself for an onsite clinic job and preparing for work in an integrated medical practice environment.

The Current Concepts in Motion Palpation

Brett Winchester, D.C.
Throughout the last century, we have learned how all bodily systems respond to the chiropractic adjustment. Although much has focused on biomechanical events, there also is a significant neurologic effect. This section will focus on how to assess for joint dysfunction from a biomechanical and a neurologic standpoint and how to perform adjustments pertaining to these joint dysfunctions. Dr. Winchester is an instructor and board member for the Motion Palpation Institute and will share current, evidence-informed concepts and techniques. He believes that the ability to palpate accurately is an absolute prerequisite to performing effective adjustments. The participant will learn current concepts in neurology and adjustments, followed by a hands-on demonstration focusing on assessment and adjustments.

The Spine as the Foundation for Health and Disease: A Contemporary Chiropractic BioPhysics® (CBP®) Technique Presentation

Deed Harrison, D.C
Chiropractic is changing. Research, patient management, objective clinical results, treatment techniques, philosophies, and principles all advance over time. The mission of CBP Technique is to provide a research-based response to these changing times that is clinically, technically and philosophically sound. Understanding the relationship of upright human posture and spinal displacements to various pain, functional, and health disturbances is a key concept of this presentation. Secondly, the attendee will gain an appreciation of and for CBP's chiropractic corrective care procedures for structural rehabilitation of the spine and posture using mirror image® adjusting, exercise and spinal remodeling procedures.

Chiropractic Quality, Cost and Risks: What the Evidence Says and Why You Should Care

Christine Goertz, D.C., Ph.D.
Never has the saying “in God we trust all others bring data” been truer. As the U.S. health care system continues to evolve towards the “Triple Aim” of improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction), improving the health of populations and reducing the per capita cost, it becomes increasingly critical that the chiropractic profession is able to talk the evidence-based talk. Learn what you can and cannot say to your patients, payers, other clinicians and policy makers based on the data. Presentation highlights include the latest information on:

•           the outcomes of chiropractic care for low back pain, neck pain and other conditions,

•           the costs of chiropractic care delivery, and

•           the relative risks associated with spinal manipulation.

The Chiropractic Adjustment and the Science of Core Stability

William Morgan, D.C.
The philosophy of chiropractic is wed to the adjustment’s value in restoring and preserving normal nerve function.   In this lecture Dr. William Morgan will present new evidence validating the chiropractic adjustment’s role in normalizing neural function in regard to core stability.  He will uncover the neurophysiology and clinical competencies needed to meld core stability programs into a busy chiropractic practice.  This course is a bridge between philosophy-based practices and science-based practices.

Cox Flexion Distraction Spinal Manipulation: Biomechanics and Clinical Outcomes

Dean Greenwood, D.C.
In this session, we will present information related to changes in intradiscal pressure and the foraminal area, along with discussions related to facet joint motion, disc changes under distraction manipulation, and the biomechanics of the intervertebral disc and spine. Video depictions of the spine during spinal manipulation will be shown. Clinical research related to the use of long-axis distraction of the spine will be presented, and there will be demonstrations of manipulation to various regions of the spine. Demonstration of spinal manipulation of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine and pelvis will be in this program.

Chiropractors in Cancer Hospitals

Jeff Sklar, D.C.
This course will provide indications and contra-indications for administering chiropractic care to cancer patients. Dr. Sklar will discuss understanding side effects of cancer treatment on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems and understanding the role of chiropractic in quality of life at any stage of the disease, as well as the criteria of patient-centered care.

Chiropractic and the Future of Spine Care

Scott Haldeman, M.D., D.C., Ph.D.
Spinal disorders in the form or low back pain and neck pain have been determined by a formal WHO study to be the number 1 and number 4 causes of disability in the world. In the USA and much of the developed world the current model of care has resulted in increased cost and, at the same time, increased disability. This unacceptable situation is resulting in a rethinking of the manner in which care is offered people with spinal disorders. The new model of care that is receiving the most attention is the identification of a primary spine care provider or clinician who follows evidence based approach to spine care. Chiropractors are uniquely positioned so that, with minor modification of their training and acceptance of this position, they could assume this position in the health care system.

An Evidence-Based Guide for Patient Management: The Lower Quarter

Nate Hinkeldey, D.C., and Michael Tunning, D.C., ATC
In the past, chiropractic treatment and spinal adjustment have been used as synonyms. However, time has passed and chiropractors have added different treatment methods to their skill set. Manual therapy modalities to include trigger point therapy, instrument assisted myofascial release, exercise/ rehabilitation, stretching techniques, and mobilization.  As a result, it is important that chiropractors have systems in place to determine where and when to each modality. Philosophies and rationale for time of implementation may differ, but all treatment plans should have some evidence-based rationale.’ This class offers one evidence-based perspective for implementation of the different modalities.

Chiropractors - Providers of Lifelong Dynamic Functional Health and Performance

Austin McMillin, D.C.
Chiropractic patients are accustomed to great pain relief from the care they receive.  Yet chiropractic care is about much more. Chiropractors can, should, and do provide much more.  This presentation will provide an overview of areas that chiropractors can dramatically increase their value in patient care as well as in the health care marketplace — with a focus on improving functional health, performance, and quality of life.  By viewing care from the patient perspective, using emerging research to drive forward thinking strategies and understanding how providing better technical expertise is good for patients and good for business, chiropractors can thrive in a challenging health care delivery world.  This program will show you how and send you back to practice with new ideas to improve your expertise and competitive edge.   

Recognizing Food Allergies: Challenges and Opportunities

Lia Nightingale, Ph.D.
Food allergies are a major health concern in developed countries, causing serious physical, social and financial burdens. The epidemiology and pathogenesis of food allergies will be reviewed, while clinical diagnosis, prevention strategies and treatment will be discussed in detail.

Imaging of Conditions Common to Chiropractic Practice.

Ian McLean, D.C., DACBR
Image interpretation is a skill combining diagnostic imaging findings with clinical presentations.  This program for the chiropractic physician is designed to reinforce those skills necessary to differentiate critical radiographic findings from those less important.  Emphasis is placed on recognizing conditions common to chiropractic practice along with recognizing diagnostic pitfalls.  Clinical management will also be discussed. A regional approach will be utilized with emphasis on spinal and musculoskeletal system.