ACC STATEMENT ON DIAGNOSIS ENDORSED BY ACA's HOD

At its annual meeting, the ACA House of Delegates passed the following resolution endorsing the Association of Chiropractic College's clarification of the ACC paradigm related to diagnosis as follows: "A diagnosis is an expert opinion identifying the nature and cause of a patient's concern or complaint, and/or abnormal finding(s). It is essential to the ongoing process of reasoning used by the doctor of chiropractic in cooperation with the patient to direct, manage, and optimize the patient's health and well-being. "The process of arriving at a diagnosis by a doctor of chiropractic includes: obtaining pertinent patient history; conducting physical, neurological, orthopedic, and other appropriate examination procedures; ordering and interpreting specialized diagnostic imaging and/or laboratory tests as indicated by symptoms and/or clinical findings; and performing postural and functional biomechanical analysis to determine the presence of articular dysfunction and/or subluxation. "The Association of Chiropractic Colleges continues to foster a unique, distinct chiropractic profession that generates, develops, and utilizes the highest level of evidence possible in the provision of effective, prudent, and cost-conscious patient evaluation and care." (Note: This does not replace the current definition of diagnosis as found in the ACA Master Plan and other policy statements of the ACA. Motion Carried.)

Share this post: