What significant barrier did chiropractic education face due to the Flexner Report?

The Flexner Report, published in 1910, had a profound impact on medical education in the United States and inadvertently affected chiropractic education as well. One of the key outcomes of the report was the emphasis on a standardized, scientific approach to medical training, which led to the closure of numerous medical schools, particularly those that did not adhere to allopathic principles. As a result, schools primarily focused on alternative medical practices, such as chiropractic, struggled to gain recognition and support.

The exclusivity of federal approval for allopathic schools, as highlighted by the Flexner Report, created a significant barrier for chiropractic institutions. These schools often found themselves isolated and unable to attain the same level of legitimacy or support as their allopathic counterparts. The chiropractic profession was marginalized, leading to challenges in establishing accredited training programs that adhered to the new standards set forth by the report.

This context underscores the essential nature of the relationship between federal and educational standards in shaping professional legitimacy and funding opportunities, ultimately highlighting the struggles faced by chiropractic education during this transformative period in the healthcare landscape.