Benchmarking Chiropractors as Members of the Creative Class: A Consideration of Practice, Play, Professional and Personal lives
Madeline Behrendt, D.C.
Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~ May 14, 2005 ~ Pages 1-15
Abstract
The world advances through the influence of the Creative Class, those who make dreams tangible; who invent, excite, and provoke.
In contemporary culture, as diverse industries and occupations are powered by creativity, the frontiers separating creative and economic interests are dissolving.
In Richard Florida’s book, The Rise of the Creative Class, narrative and research findings establish the link between creativity and economic prosperity, as well as the importance of Place to Creative Class workers. Florida also identifies healthcare professionals as members of the Creative Class and describes them as “creative professionals.”
Modern healthcare is a 1.4 trillion dollar industry whose boundaries are being reshaped by a diversity of these “creative professionals,” including chiropractors. Recognizing that “people are becoming more interested in alternative, holistic health care…” Fast Company magazine’s “The 25 Top Jobs for 2005,” compiled with input from Creative Class research expert Kevin Stolarick, ranked chiropractor the #4 top job. Licensed in all fifty states, some 60,000 chiropractors provide care to more than twenty million consumers through a distinct expertise: they detect and correct vertebral subluxations. And with over 100 different chiropractic techniques; original chiropractic research in topics such as infertility or multiple sclerosis or immune function; or the development of technology to evaluate and track changes in autonomic function, chiropractors create new ideas and advance the understanding of wellbeing.
This article attempts to benchmark chiropractors as members of the Creative Class. Four areas are considered: Practice, Play, Professional and Personal lives. In addition, there is a ranking of Place specific to chiropractic factors.
Key words: chiropractic, chiropractors, vertebral subluxations, Richard Florida, Creative Class, Kevin Stolarick, healthcare, wellness
