Hello, 

I am responding to the proposal that Chiropractors in Virginia be required to meet face-to-face for our continuing education.  I have been practicing chiropractic for approximately 35 years and have been licensed and practiced in 3 states during that time.  I have had to complete continuing education for each of those states and had to meet the various state requirements for each.  I feel that the current requirements for Virginia are perfectly suited to keep a chiropractor licensed in Virginia to be completely competent.  I also feel that with the ongoing electronic improvements in computers and video conferencing, etc.  it is rather archaic to make in-person or face-to-face learning a requirement.  Basically this would be forcing our profession back about 20 years.  

Furthermore, anyone in my profession that proposes this change is allowed to take ALL or ANY of their courses in person or face to face.  I am also slightly concerned that efforts to make chiropractors meet face to face may be motivated by concerns that our annual convention is seeing less and less attendance and that this might threaten certain individuals who might have concerns about the future of our State Association.  Their concerns of self-preservation should in no way influence what laws go into place for our entire profession.  I do think that my peers do believe that their efforts are justified and that they are morally trying to do what is right in their opinion, however my opinion still stands.

Therefore, please take my words into consideration and mark me down as opposed to changing our continuing education requirements. 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Todd Fichtel, D.C.