Are chiropractors real doctors?

There are two categories of doctors: physicians and Ph.Ds (doctors of an academic science). If licensed within their State or providence, doctors who are degreed as a physician have the privilege to practice and provide clinical treatment. There are eight basic types of physicians:

1. Doctor of Medicine - MD
2. Doctor of Chiropractic - DC
3. Doctor of Naturopathy - ND
4. Doctor of Optometry - OD
5. Doctor of Osteopathy - DO
6. Doctor of Podiatry - DPM
7. Doctor of Medical Dentistry - DMD/DDS
8. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine – DVM

A relatively unknown fact is that a chiropractor’s four-year doctorate degree
is comparable to the training received by a medical doctor. The following chart
compares the programs of study:

CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIAN WESTERN STATES CHIRO COLLEGE

MEDICAL PHYSICIAN OREGON HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY
CLASSES HOURS CLASSES HOURS
Gross Anatomy I-III 288 Gross Anatomy 190
Histology I,II 144 Histology 84
Biochemistry I,II 120 Medical Biochemistry 145
Physiology I,II 132 Human Physiology 149
Embryology 24 Developmental Biology 40
Neuroanatomy 96 Neuroanatomy 84
Nutrition 48 Nutrition 20
Clinical Nutrition 36    
Physical Diagnosis I,II 144 Ophthalmology 36
    Otolaryngology 72
Clinical Pyschology 36 Medical Psychology 49
    Intro to Psychiatry 43
General Pathology I,II 120 General Pathology 68
Genetics 48 Medical Genetics 32
CPR/Emergency Care 24 Cardiopulmonary Resus.  
Microbiology & Public Health 84 Intro to Medical Microbiology 90
Intro to Public Health 26    
Clinical Microbiology & Public Heath 84 Public Health & Epidemiology 40
Immunology 35    
Toxicology & Pharmacology 48 Pharmacology 72
Dermatology & Inf. Disease 24 Pathophysiology of Skin, Bone & Computerized Tomography
69
Clinical Lab 60 Blood/Reticuloendothelial Pathophys.
117
Pathophysiology of the CNS/Muscle & Special Sensory Organs Neurophysiology
72
 
    Neurology & Neurosurgery 216
Gastroenterology DX/TX 48 Gastrointestinal Pathophys. 123
Cardiorespiratory DX/TX 24 Respiratory Pathophysiology 79
    Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
117
Clinical Pathology 36 Endocrine Pathophysiology 43
Genitourinary Survey 60 Reproductive Pathophysiology 55
    Renal Pathophysiology 117
Jurisprudence & Ethics 24 Law & Medicine 24
Radiological Interpret. 120 Radiographic Diagnosis 24
Roentgenometrics I,II 24    
Soft Tissue Radiographic
Interpertation.
48    
Radiographic Technique I,II 120    
Minor Surgery/Proctology 24    
Obstetrics 36    
Patient/Practice Mgmt I-IV 108    
Adjustive Technique I-IX 396    
Clinical Pediatrics 24 Child Health (CON 620,lecture) 48
Clinical Geriatrics 24    
Spinal Anatomy 24    
Biomechanics &
Palpation I-IV
264    
Neuromusculoskeletal
DX/TX I-IV
276    
Correlative & Differential DX 48    
Physiotherapy I,II 120    
Narrative Report Writing 24    
Clinical Research Meth. I,II 60    
Principles of Chiro Phil. I-IV 120    
       
TOTAL CLASS HOURS: 3,768 TOTAL CLASS HOURS: 2,465
       
Clinical Observation I-III 72 Patient Evaluation (413,611) 192
Clinic Phase I,II,III-A,B,C,D 822 Third Year Medicine 432
    Child Health 384
    Psychiatry Clinical Clerkship 216
    Obstetrics & Gynecology 216
    Surgery 432
    Special Programmed Instruction 540
       
TOTAL CLINIC HOURS: 894 TOTAL HOSPITAL HOURS: 2,412
TOTAL D.C. REQUIREMENTS: 4,662 TOTAL M.D. REQ: 4,877

( Optional hrs not included in totals. )

In the State of Oregon, chiropractors, by law, are considered primary providers, under the title “physician.” Chiropractors do not, however, prescribe pharmaceutical drugs nor do they perform major surgery. Most chiropractors’ expertise lies in the diagnosis and conservative treatment of spinal conditions and related disorders.