Ethics and evidence-based practice are "inextricably" linked, according to Charles A Simpson, DC, DABCO, a presenter at the 2018 National Chiropractic Leadership Conference (NCLC). Over his 40-plus year career in chiropractic and through his work as a health care workforce regulator, Dr. Simpson has witnessed ethical highs and lows among health care providers of all types. His experience has left him with keen insights into how to run a practice ethically as well as successfully.

It is now well known that low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide and that chiropractors can play a pivotal role in the management of this condition. However, the chiropractic profession can achieve wider acceptance and improved cultural authority, particularly within integrated health care delivery systems, by embracing and integrating current scientific research into our approach to evidence-based health care. It is in this context that this Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) was developed. The aim of this systematic review was to update and combine three previously published clinical guidelines, while answering this question: “What is the effectiveness of chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation (SMT), for nonspecific low back pain?”

Part of a series on the chiropractic residency program in the VA health care system

The saying goes: If you’ve seen one VA hospital, you’ve seen one VA hospital. Across the board, there are many similarities between the chiropractic residency sites. However, each has its own flavor – making them unique in their own way. As a New Jersey native, moving to the opposite side of the country wasn’t even a question when I discovered my acceptance to the VA chiropractic residency program in Los Angeles (although retiring my snow shovel for year-round sunshine made the decision quite acceptable, let me tell you…). The opportunity to treat our nation’s veterans in this setting was a dream come true, and almost four months in, I couldn’t be happier.

Part of a series on the chiropractic residency program in the VA health care system

VA chiropractic resident Stephanie Halloran, DC, frequently finds herself fielding questions about her day-to-day routine in the Veterans Administration (VA) from family, friends and colleagues. The Connecticut VA Healthcare System has two chiropractic sites located in West Haven and Newington. Dr. Halloran is primarily at the West Haven campus, but spends at least every other Tuesday in Newington. Collectively she works under the guidance of Drs. Anthony Lisi, Christopher Coulis, Lauren Austin-McClellan, Nathanial Majoris, and Todd Kawecki. Although each day can vary, Dr. Halloran offers this look into a typical VA resident schedule.

Publication bias is a growing problem in evidence-based practice. In the hierarchy of evidence, systematic reviews and meta-analyses lie at the top of the evidence pyramid because they are regarded as the most rigorous form of evidence for possible clinical decision-making. But publication bias can color the results of those reviews and meta-analyses in ways not easily seen nor understood.