Part III: Test Plan

1.  Case History (16%)

Competency description: The examinee will be asked to identify factors necessary for complete case history and to apply this knowledge to a clinical picture.

Examples include:

  • Chief complaint
  • Present illness
  • Past history
  • Family history
  • Personal and social history
  • Review of systems

2.  Physical Examination (11%)

Competency description:
The examinee will be asked to select appropriate physical examination procedures and to apply knowledge of these procedures to a clinical picture.

Examples include:

  • General survey
  • Head and neck examination
  • Thorax and lung examination
  • Cardiovascular examination
  • Breast and axilla examination
  • Abdominal examination
  • Urogenital examination
  • Rectal examination

3.   Neuromusculoskeletal Examination (13%)

Competency description:
The examinee will be asked to select appropriate neuromusculoskeletal examination procedures and to apply knowledge of these procedures to a clinical picture.

Examples include:

  • Posture and locomotion assessment
  • Standard spinal and extremity orthopedic procedures
  • Standard neurologic testing procedures
  • Peripheral vascular examination procedures

4.   Roentgenologic Examination (11%)

Competency description:
The examinee will be asked to demonstrate knowledge of all areas of chiropractic roentgenology.

Examples include:

  • X-ray physics and exposure technique
  • Indications and contraindications for radiographic procedures
  • Patient protection
  • Patient positioning
  • Normal radiographic anatomy
  • Radiographic analytic procedures
  • Radiographic interpretation and diagnosis

5.    Clinical Laboratory and Special Studies Examination (6%)

Competency description:
The examinee will be asked to demonstrate understanding of the rationale for ordering specific clinical laboratory tests and special studies and to demonstrate ability to interpret the results of these tests or studies.

Examples include:

  • Urinalysis
  • Hematology
  • Serology
  • Blood chemistries
  • Stool analysis
  • Serous fluid analysis
  • Joint fluid analysis
  • Diagnostic imaging modalities (other than plain-film X-ray)
  • Electrophysiologic recordings (EEG, EKG, EMG, and NCV)

6.   Diagnosis or Clinical Impression (12%)

Competency description:
Based on information gathered in the various areas of examination, the examinee will be asked to identify the pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for a patient’s complaints.

Examples include:

  • History
  • Physical and neuromusculoskeletal examinations
  • Roentgenologic examination
  • Clinical laboratory and special studies examinations

7.    Chiropractic Techniques (11%)

Competency description:
The examinee will be asked to demonstrate knowledge of all areas of chiropractic technique.

Examples include:

  • Spinal analysis
  • Spinal adjustive techniques
  • Extremity adjustive techniques
  • Skeletal biomechanics
  • Non-adjustive techniques

8.  Supportive Techniques (8%)

Competency description: 
The examinee will be asked to demonstrate knowledge of techniques and procedures that are supportive of or adjunctive to the chiropractic adjustment.

Examples include:

  • Physiotherapy
  • Nutrition
  • Corrective exercises
  • Protective body mechanics
  • Patient education and home care

9.  Case Management (12%)

Competency description:
The examinee will be asked to select an approach to the management or disposition of a case that is consistent with the clinical impression or diagnosis.

Examples include:

  • Indications and contraindications for chiropractic care
  • Formulation of treatment plan
  • Appropriate procedures for case follow-up and review
  • Patient referral