The Importance of Conflict of Interest Disclosure in Chiropractic Education, Research, and Testimony

Written by: James Demetrious, DC, DABCO

Introduction

Chiropractic education and research form the backbone of evidence-informed practice, shaping how students are trained, how clinicians approach patient care, and how the broader healthcare community perceives the profession. As the chiropractic profession continues to integrate with mainstream healthcare, the integrity of its scholarship, educational standards, and expert witness testimony is under increasing scrutiny.

Conflict of interest (COI) disclosure is a critical safeguard in this process. A conflict of interest exists when financial, professional, or personal relationships have the potential to bias or appear to bias the design, interpretation, dissemination of research, delivery of education, or the credibility of expert testimony. Within chiropractic, COI disclosure is essential to protect academic integrity, maintain public trust, and ensure that students, practitioners, and courts are provided with reliable, unbiased information.

Safeguarding Scientific Integrity in Chiropractic Research

Chiropractic research has historically been vulnerable to skepticism from other healthcare disciplines, making the pursuit of scientific objectivity even more vital. Undisclosed conflicts, such as financial ties to equipment manufacturers, professional organizations, or malpractice advocacy groups, can undermine the credibility of chiropractic education and research.

Without transparent disclosure, findings may be dismissed as advocacy rather than objective science. Clear disclosure policies enable peer reviewers, educators, and practitioners to evaluate research in its proper context, ensuring that chiropractic scholarship remains aligned with the highest standards of academic integrity.

Protecting Students and Patient Care through Education

Chiropractic students rely heavily on the published literature and faculty instruction to form the foundation of their clinical reasoning. If undisclosed conflicts influence what is taught, students may be exposed to biased or incomplete perspectives, which can shape practice patterns that do not reflect the best available evidence. This has direct consequences for patient care, as biased education may lead to overreliance on specific interventions, under-recognition of risks, or disregard for alternative strategies. By requiring full disclosure of faculty and author interests, chiropractic programs strengthen the reliability of their curricula and protect students from being inadvertently guided by biased information.

Preserving Credibility and Professional Trust

The chiropractic profession continues to strive for greater acceptance within the interdisciplinary healthcare field. Transparency in education and research is central to this effort. Scandals involving undisclosed financial ties or hidden professional agendas not only harm individual reputations but also erode public confidence in the profession as a whole. Conversely, open disclosure demonstrates accountability and reinforces chiropractic’s commitment to ethical standards. By embracing disclosure as a norm, chiropractic educators and researchers build credibility with students, colleagues, policymakers, and the public.

Practical Implementation in Chiropractic Research, Education, and Testimony

Chiropractic journals, continuing education (CE) providers, and chiropractic expert witnesses have a unique responsibility to standardize COI policies:

• Journals should adopt structured disclosure forms similar to those of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), ensuring consistency across publications. Authors must disclose professional, financial, and advocacy-related interests.
• CE providers should disclose appropriate professional, financial, and advocacy-related interests, with these statements made available to participants before instruction begins.
• Chiropractic expert witnesses must disclose conflicts of interest to ensure that their testimony is viewed as objective, credible, and free from undisclosed financial or professional bias.

Conclusion

Conflict of interest disclosure is indispensable in chiropractic education, research, and testimony. It safeguards the objectivity of scientific inquiry, protects students from biased instruction, enhances patient care, and preserves credibility for the profession as a whole. Importantly, disclosure does not presume bias, but instead empowers learners, researchers, and clinicians to evaluate information in light of potential influences critically. By embracing rigorous disclosure practices, chiropractic education and research can continue to advance in integrity, foster greater acceptance within the healthcare field, and uphold the trust of the patients and communities it serves.

Disclosure

The information provided in this article and all PostGradDC coursework should not be considered standards of care. We provide this information for educational purposes only. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding medical conditions or treatment. Seek the opinion of your legal representative. Errors and omissions are unintended.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Dr. James Demetrious is a board-certified chiropractic orthopedist and the founder and owner of PostGradDC (PostGradDC.com), a privately operated provider of chiropractic continuing education. Dr. Demetrious is a member of the NCMIC Speakers’ Bureau. Dr. Demetrious teaches coursework on behalf of chiropractic colleges, state, and national organizations. Dr. Demetrious has published peer-reviewed research on these topics and provides consultation services to chiropractic physicians, attorneys, and professional organizations.

This commentary was written independently and without external funding. While his educational and advocacy activities promote evidence-based chiropractic practice, the views expressed herein are his own and are based on an interpretation of the current scientific literature. Any omissions are unintended, and concerns about COI can be amended.

PostGradDC offers advanced post-graduate chiropractic continuing education. Our founder, Dr. James Demetrious, is a distinguished board-certified chiropractic orthopedist, educator, author, and editor. 

© 2025 – James Demetrious, DC, DABCO. Open Access. Unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction are allowed in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit by citing the original author and source: Demetrious J. PostGradDC. The Importance of Conflict of Interest Disclosure in Chiropractic Education and Research. PostGradDC.com; 2025.