Chiropractors Disciplined by a State Chiropractic Board and a Comparison with Disciplined Medical Physicians
Received 23 April 2003; received in revised form 22 May 2003
Abstract
Objective
To determine categories of offense, experience, and gender of disciplined doctors of chiropractic (DC) in California and compare them with disciplined medical physicians in California.
Methods
Retrospective reviews of publicly available data from the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
Results
The DC disciplinary categories, in descending order, were fraud (44%), sexual boundary issues (22%), other offenses (13%), abuse of alcohol or drugs (10%), negligence or incompetence (6%), poor supervision (2%), and mental impairment (.3%).
Conclusions
The professions differ in the major reasons for disciplinary actions. Two thirds (67%) of the doctors of chiropractic were disciplined for fraud and sexual boundary issues, compared with 59% for negligence and substance misuse for medical physicians. Additional study in each profession may reveal methods to identify causes and possible intervention for those who are at high risk.
aPrivate practice of chiropractic, and Faculty, Natural Sciences Department, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, Calif
Stephen M. Foreman, DC, Chiropractic Research Associates, 7320 Woodlake Avenue, #370, West Hills, CA 91307
ABSTRACT