May 2006

US Congress Recognizes RCS

Research and Clinical Science (RCS) was officially recognized by the United States government last month when a member of the House of Representatives had a statement in praise of the private‑sector research company read into the Congressional Record.

At a time when health care is at the forefront of the American consciousness, the statement was a strong show of support for chiropractic research and for the goal of bringing the most modern technology into the profession. The statement also recognizes the fact that, unlike many research programs that merely review prior literature, the RCS project has been fully approved by an Independent Review Board (IRB).

Now an official part of the US Congressional Record, the statement reads:

"Research and Clinical Science (RCS) is recognized and commended for its commitment and leadership in the chiropractic profession for its development of a health information technology infrastructure that supports the 2010 goal of the President and the United States Government for an electronic medical record.

"Individual participating doctors of chiropractic have shown great initiative by supporting implementation of the RCS health information technology to improve the quality and efficiency of health care; to ensure that appropriate information to guide health care decisions is available at the time and place of care; to reduce health care costs resulting from inefficiency, medical errors, inappropriate care, and incomplete information; to improve health care quality, reduce errors, and advance the delivery of appropriate, evidence‑based health care.

"RCS is fully approved by regional IRB boards. This project is also unique because it blends private sector technology with scientists from universities throughout the country who will analyze the data thereby promoting a better understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying the chiropractic adjustment and the additional benefits accrued by the documented changes in patient health outcome behaviors.

"RCS has developed an electronic health record and central data repository to demonstrate the benefits of conservative chiropractic care in large patient populations. The implementation of such technology will promote a more effective marketplace, greater competition, and increased choice through the wider availability of accurate information on health care costs with the result of improving quality of life.

"Congress recognizes the efforts of companies like RCS, and hopes other members of the profession would consider and evaluate this effort to promote evidence‑based chiropractic and an immediate transition to electronic medical records."

David A. Jackson, DC, who serves as CEO of the California‑based company, stated: "All of us at RCS are extremely proud of our accomplishments in building the complex technological infrastructure required to perform this type of global research on the impact of vertebral subluxation. We are pleased that the achievement has been recorded for posterity in the Congressional Record."

RCS worked with three high‑tech companies to design proprietary software that allows field doctors to easily input standardized data gathered during their examination of research volunteers. All RCS Authorized Clinical Investigators are rigorously evaluated and approved by an IRB before beginning the program and all are trained in human subject research protocols. Volunteers also complete an exclusive online Self‑Reported Quality of Life Study, which explores their health history, demographics, and self evaluations of their physical, mental and emotional well‑being.

Volunteers receive a "Vitality Wellness Index" report that gives them a graphic representation of how they compare to others in the database and assigns a numerical score of their overall wellness.

The two sets of data are correlated and analyzed by an International Scientific Advisory Panel consisting of MDs, PhDs, and DCs ‑‑ all of whom are experienced and highly respected researchers. The data will help provide evidence into possible links between subluxation and various health conditions. Since many volunteers have never received chiropractic, while others have had regular adjustments, the differences in the two population sets will help establish the effect of subluxation correction on health and well-being.

Doctors interested in learning more about RCS and how they can become RCS Authorized Clinical Investigators may call RCS at 800‑909‑1354 or 480‑303‑1694, or view the online presentation.