Plenty of job opportunities in chiropractic
If you have completed a degree in science, health science or medical science and are looking for a field to specialise in, why not consider chiropractic? With a worldwide shortage of trained chiropractors, graduates are assured of employment in Australia or overseas.
What is a chiropractor?
A chiropractor is a specialist in musculo-skeletal disorders. Over 120 years ago it was discovered that under certain conditions you could influence people's health by manipulating the spine.
"Traditionally we would think of lower back pain management," says Director of Postgraduate Studies Dr Peter Bull. "But it is probably wider than that because the philosophy of chiropractic understands that unless your nervous system is functioning at optimal level you can't in fact be healthy."
Chiropractic studies at Macquarie
Macquarie University was the first public university in the world to offer a chiropractic program. In 1990, the Sydney College of Chiropractic merged with the University bringing with it a base of 63 students. Sixteen years later, 630 students are currently undertaking chiropractic studies.
To become a registered chiropractor, students must complete a Bachelor of Chiropractic Science or a Bachelor of Science with majors in anatomy and physiology, and then undertake a Master of Chiropractic program.
"It is a bit of a hard slog to become a chiropractor," says Bull. "It is a double degree with a minimum of five years, but then you embark on a marvellous career, becoming a primary health practitioner who is also hands on."
According to Bull students undertake something quite close to a traditional medical program. The core subjects are orthopaedics, neurology and differential diagnosis.
"It is important to teach differential diagnosis as chiropractors need to recognise what they can treat as well as what conditions should be referred to someone else."
Clinical Component
A large clinical component is included in the Masters program. The Department operates chiropractic clinics at Eastwood, Summer Hill and on campus.
The clinical component requires students to do 12 hours of work a week over an 18 month period. Each clinic is run by a full time clinical fellow, assisted by students in their last two years of chiropractic studies.
Students in their final year work with patients while supervised by a fully trained chiropractor. Students in their penultimate year work as buddies, assisting final year students as well as working on reception and taking x-rays.
"It is very hands on for students," says Bull. "It is a good way to teach them how to run a business and a successful practice."
Job opportunities
On average there is only one chiropractor for every 9000 people in Australia, and in the UK there are 600 chiropractors for 52 million people.
"Demand for chiropractors is very high considering there is no public sector employment in hospitals or health centres like physiotherapists enjoy," says Bull. "Most employment is self employment or joining established practices. We are graduating 100 chiropractors each year and there are only 3000 chiropractors Australia-wide so there is a lot of room for expansion."
For further information contact Dr Peter Bull on peter.bull@mq.edu.au or visit the Department of Health and Chiropractic website www.chiro.mq.edu.au/