What constitutes a breach of trust in chiropractic practice?

A breach of trust in chiropractic practice primarily occurs when any act fundamentally undermines the professional relationship between the chiropractor and the patient. This relationship is built on mutual respect, honesty, and integrity. When a chiropractor fails to honor this trust—whether through unethical behavior, failure to maintain patient confidentiality, or misrepresentation of treatment—this can disrupt the foundation of the therapeutic alliance, leading to a loss of credibility and potentially causing harm to the patient.

In contrast, consistently communicating with the patient is essential for building trust and ensuring effective treatment. Offering complementary services, when appropriate and discussed with the patient, can be beneficial and enhance the treatment experience. Additionally, maintaining thorough and effective documentation of patient visits upholds the standard of care and supports transparency in practice. These actions contribute positively to the trust established between the chiropractor and the patient, rather than undermining it.