Development of chiropractic nomenclature through consensus.
OBJECTIVE
The establishment of nomenclature is a sign of maturity in any field. Each discipline formally adopts or sanctions the terminology based by its practitioners.


METHODS
Description of the development of chiropractic nomenclature through consensus methodology. A model was designed as an algorithm to outline steps leading to broad geographical and philosophical agreement.


RESULTS
Moving through a regional nominal panel to an international Delphi panel, consensus at the 80% level of agreement was obtained for 10 terms and definitions commonly used by the chiropractic profession.


CONCLUSIONS
It is recommended that the chiropractic profession adopt the 10 terms and definitions that reached the 80% consensus level as part of chiropractic nomenclature.
Gatterman
M I
MI
Division of Chiropractic Sciences, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, Ontario.
Hansen
D T
DT
D000465:Algorithms; D002684:Chiropractic; D003245:Consensus Statements as Topic; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D003697:Delphi Technique; D006801:Humans; D009656:North America; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D009626:Terminology as Topic