When a newspaper story refers to a medical doctor, it usually uses the professional title "Dr." When that same story refers to a doctor of chiropractic, the title is left out.

"This bit of discrimination is more than a pet peeve with chiropractors -- it is a subtle attack on the credibility and status of chiropractic," says Terry A. Rondberg, D.C., president of the World Chiropractic Alliance and publisher of The Chiropractic Journal.

When newspapers receive complaints about the absence of the "Dr." title, they often refuse to take responsibility for their decision, stating that they merely follow the guidelines set out in "The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual." The "AP Stylebook" -- as it is more familiarly known -- is a set of "rules" governing grammatical and stylistic rules for AP reporters. It has been adopted by many newspapers to ensure a consistent journalistic style, but it serves as a guidebook only. No newspaper is required to follow its rules.

The "AP Stylebook" specifies that the title "Dr." should be used in the "first reference as a formal title before the name of an individual who holds a doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy or doctor of podiatric medicine degree."

Most reporters and editors, therefore, deliberately or unintentionally slight doctors of chiropractic by denying them the "Dr." title.

In October, the World Chiropractic Alliance contacted the Associated Press to request a change in its "Stylebook" guidelines.

In his letter to the editor of the book, WCA President Dr. Terry A. Rondberg stated:

"There are more than 50,000 licensed doctors of chiropractic throughout the United States (and thousands of others in Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, and around the world). They receive a doctor of chiropractic degree and are licensed as doctors of chiropractic. Each state has statutes regulating the practice of chiropractic, and the standards for doctors of chiropractic. They are variously referred to as doctors of chiropractic, chiropractic physicians, or chiropractors. In federal legislation passed by the U.S. Congress, they are called doctors of chiropractic.

"Yet, according to the Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual, the designation "Dr." is restricted to 'an individual who holds a doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, or doctor of podiatric medicine degree.'

"On behalf of all doctors of chiropractic and the nearly 30 million patients served by them, the World Chiropractic Alliance requests that the next edition of the AP Stylebook reflect current acceptance of the role of doctors of chiropractic as primary health care providers whose educational and legal status entitles them to the professional title of 'Dr.'

"The use of the title for medical doctors but not for chiropractic doctors is a holdover from the days when chiropractic was not yet accepted into the American health care system. The title was deliberately withheld from D.C.s as part of the campaign by the American Medical Association to destroy the credibility of the competing profession. However, there is no valid reason for the Associated Press to continue or perpetuate this tradition of discourtesy.

"Many doctors of chiropractic have begun to voice increasing displeasure with and resentment against newspapers that fail to use the "Dr." title for doctors of chiropractic. They see the practice as discriminatory and insulting. When questioned, most newspapers merely point to the AP Stylebook, blaming it for the outdated practice.