| Values which are important to chiropractors are influenced by a chiropractic belief system and represent a major component of philosophy in chiropractic. Valued are explored in the context of a chiropractic conceptual framework. A proposed taxonomy for chiropractors' values categorizes these in six categories including: 1) philosophy and chiropractic;
2) chiropractic science;
3) art/practice of chiropractic!
4) sociocultural;
5) psychosocial aspects of chiropractic, and
6) values which relate to the personal belief system of chiropractors. This last domain is not regarded as part of the discipline of chiropractic, merely as part of the personal belief and value systems of individuals qualified in chiropractic. Since values are philosophical constructs, they are classified according to branches or methods of philosophy. Discussion also concerns who determines values, how they relate to beliefs and philosophy, strategic planning by a professional association, and the belief system of individual practitioners. It is shown how values are judged, what society expects and how the understanding of chiropractic values promotes professional cohesion. Data on which core values can be based is used to identify and clarify values in each of the six domains of a chiropractic conceptual framework. Recommendations are made for future research. This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher; full text by subscription only. |
