| Objective: The chiropractic profession faces challenges in attracting and keeping qualified African American candidates. This article explores the progression of African American chiropractors through the chiropractic education "pipeline," attempting to determine which experiences, characteristics, or circumstances contributed to their successful progression. Methods: In this qualitative study of 16 African American chiropractors, two face-to-face interviews of each participant were conducted, tape-recorded, and transcribed. Results: Some of the African American students experienced considerable difficulty with standardized testing. They also experienced issues of cultural incompetence on the part of some staff and faculty, occasional incidences of racism, and suspected instances of discrimination. Discussion: Recommendations include heavier emphasis on recruiting at historically black colleges and universities; the formation and continued support of organizations like the Student Chapter of the American Black Chiropractor's Association or the Harvey Lillard Club; wider availability and marketing of academic support services such as counseling and tutoring; and programs to inculcate cultural sensitivity for college staff and faculty. This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher. Click on the above link for free full text. |
