“At UWS we considered ourselves to be ‘evidence-based’ before the term ever came about,” Dr. Lester Partna says about the UWS chiropractic program. “The evidence-based approach uses the best available external evidence from systematic research, combines it with the doctor’s own clinical experience, and considers each patient’s own unique values and expectations.”
Dr. Partna, a professor and the Chair of Chiropractic Sciences, says the UWS Chiropractic program does not ignore the history and tradition of chiropractic, but emphasizes the use of evidence-based methods of inquiry and analysis. As the evidence evolves, the curriculum evolves.
The integrated approach of the UWS program incorporates information and principles from a wide variety of sources and techniques. “We borrow from the best. If it has good data to back it up, a broad-based track record of success, or an acceptable degree of biological plausibility, we’ll teach it,” Dr. Partna says.
When it comes to the adjusting skills of his students, Dr. Partna says, “I would take a student or recent graduate of ours and match them against those of any other institution. If there were an adjusting Olympics, I would confidently expect UWS students to be at the top in adjusting skills.”