GREELEY, Colo. — Michelle Clark, D.C., of Denver, Colo., participated on the Practice Analysis Advisory Committee held on April 3-5, 2008, at the headquarters of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) in Greeley. Dr. Clark was one of 24 individuals who participated on the advisory committee.
Doctors in full-time chiropractic practice from across the United States came to the NBCE to develop a list concerning critical tasks they perform as part of their professional roles. These critical tasks will become part of a survey instrument that will be mailed to chiropractors throughout the United States. The meeting was facilitated by Ray Talke, president of Minds in Action Inc., who has worked with over 100 occupational groups in the development of professional task analysis descriptions.
This will be the fourth time the National Board has surveyed practitioners from all 50 states and the District of Columbia in order to document chiropractic practice, with the first survey conducted in 1991. The practice analysis is the foundation of the Part III and Part IV clinical and practical skills assessments administered by the NBCE to ensure that exam content directly pertains to the practice of chiropractic.
Additionally, the published report of the practice analysis is a tool for educators as well as legislators, state licensing boards, insurance companies, practitioners and others who need a reference concerning the practice of chiropractic.
The practice analysis also includes an extensive survey of research in the profession that has proven useful in understanding the importance of chiropractic in the health care system.
Headquartered in Greeley, Colo., the NBCE is the international testing organization for the chiropractic profession. Established in 1963, the NBCE develops, administers and scores legally defensible, standardized written and practical examinations for candidates seeking chiropractic licensure throughout the United States and in many foreign countries.
I joined a running group last November to train for a half marathon. I knew that I could reach my goal, but I wanted to do it in an environment that offered coaching, encouragement, and other people who were striving for the same goal. When one of my patients told me about Runner’s Edge of the Rockies I was psyched. The first Saturday group run was so much fun. I felt like part of the family from day one. What I didn’t realize is that a lot of the people in my pace group were first-time half-marathoners AND doing my same race! I chose the Phoenix Rock and Roll half marathon ( I am no dummy, I wanted my first half-marathon to be flat, low in elevation, and warmer than Denver in January).
I started training and followed a pretty rigid training schedule that was provided by Coach David Manthy. He was there via email for all questions and concerns, but after the group runs on Saturday he was there to chit chat. He was always checking in to make sure the training was going well. We trained from Thansgiving to mid January. At the time for signing up the race I thought that training for a half marathon would be the perfect way to prevent the holiday weight gain however, that meant training in ice and snow and getting up in the pitch black to get a morning run in before the sun came up.
But it all paid off…. On a Sunday morning in January, I successfully completed my first half-marathon! And I did it with the help of Runner’s Edge and Coach Manthy.
If you are thinking about training with a group for a race goal, I highly encourage it. It is fun, exciting, and worth every step.
Dr. Clark
