Development of chiropractic nomenclature through consensus

Abstract

Objectives: 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.