August 2003

AMA passes resolution on musculoskeletal conditions

For years, the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) has fought to safeguard chiropractic's unique position in the health care system. Frequently, it has had to lobby strenuously to prevent chiropractic from being limited to "musculoskeletal conditions."

A resolution passed earlier this year by the American Medical Association (AMA) reinforced the wisdom of the WCA's actions.

The resolution (introduced by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) acknowledges the intent by the medical establishment to re‑assert its dominance in that area. It also urges medical schools "to make changes that ensure medical school students have the appropriate education and training in musculoskeletal care, and make competence in basic musculoskeletal principles a graduation requirement for medical school."

Ironically, the resolution also admits that most recent medical school graduates are not competent in treating musculoskeletal problems.

"According to a recent study, 82% of recent medical school graduates examined failed to demonstrate basic competency in musculoskeletal medicine; and ... a follow‑up study reported that according to the standard suggested by the program directors of internal medicine residency departments, a large majority of the examinees once again failed to demonstrate basic competency in musculoskeletal medicine," the resolution stated.

It is evident from the resolution that the AMA is becoming acutely aware of the rising need to penetrate this area of practice. It notes that "Musculoskeletal problems are a leading cause of pain and disability in our society," and that, "Managed care and our health care system generally are requiring primary care physicians to manage more musculoskeletal conditions than ever before."

Terry A. Rondberg, D.C., president of the World Chiropractic Alliance, said such a resolution was not unexpected.

"Chiropractors have been trying to position themselves as musculoskeletal specialists for a long time" he noted. "Some even were willing to distance themselves from the uniquely chiropractic purpose of subluxation correction to do so. Soon, these D.C.s will find themselves without an identity. They won't be chiropractors, because they've turned their back on subluxation correction. And they won't be musculoskeletal specialists because M.D.s will claim that position."

The resolution was passed during the Annual 2003 Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates, held June 14‑19 in Chicago.