William E. Morgan, D.C.

I was recently called to the National Naval Medical Center 's Executive Committee of Medical Services (ECOMS) to defend my request to expand hospital-based chiropractic privileges. The night before, a friend of mine, a neurologist, called to warn me that he was going to oppose one of my requests. His call was intended not only to prepare me for his criticism but also to ensure that his concerns were intellectual and not directed at me, or the chiropractic profession.

The committee was very professional and business-like as I defended my position. As expected, the neurologist challenged my request. Soon other physicians joined him, asking questions that required a defense. One by one, I dealt with the queries, answering factually what I knew and admitting what I did not know. When the meeting adjourned, I was asked to collect more information and return to the committee at a later date. My defense was based on science and facts-not opinion or philosophy. In fact, it would have been laughable had I attempted to defend my requests to the committee with a statement about my philosophy.

Chiropractors entering an integrated clinic or hospital will need to have a good understanding of the current body of evidence regarding chiropractic and neuromusculoskeletal science. More than being familiar with scientific literature, we need to be able to read a research article and judge it on its scientific merits. We need to develop the skill of scientific discernment . Most chiropractors-myself included-have long practiced apologetics in place of science-based chiropractic.

What is apologetics ? The word is derived from the Greek word apologeisthai , which essentially means "defense." This term is usually associated with a faith-based defense. If I defend my Christian faith, I am practicing apologetics. Is chiropractic based on faith or science? If it were faith-based, we would look for studies that defend our traditional beliefs (apologetics)-often times selecting weak studies that support our beliefs while rejecting strong studies that may stand in opposition to them. Defense of traditions-or faith in health care-is contrary to the emerging trend of evidence-based health care.

How can you enter the world of evidence-based chiropractic? Start by reading peer-reviewed journals such as JMPT . Don't just read the articles; read the subsequent letters of review. This is a great way to learn scientific discernment. Another way to dive into the science of chiropractic is to attend the annual chiropractic Research Agenda Conference ( RAC). The presentations at RAC and the ensuing reviews and criticisms from the audience will open your eyes to what makes a scientific study worthy of merit. You may also see a normally proud and confident technique promoter humbly defending his or her study from inquiring intellectuals.

Learn to spot apologetics in literature and seminars, and avoid them. Supporting non-science-driven chiropractic is counter-productive to the advancement of the profession. Worse than simply using apologetics is the substitution of emotional appeal in place of science. If you attend seminars that sponsor "heroes," rope courses, fire walking or fireside chats, you are probably going to be moved by emotion and not science. Science speaks for itself; it does not need emotional salesmanship.