CCA Responds
to Inquest Recommendations;
Supports Jury’s Call for Research and Collaboration
The Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA) stated its support for key recommendations
made by the jury in the Lana Dale Lewis inquest, which concluded in Ontario
in January of this year. The jury’s recommendations on research and inter-professional
collaboration are welcomed, said the CCA, and reinforce the value of the many
activities already taking place in the chiropractic profession in these areas.
Lewis died of a stroke 17 days following a neck adjustment by her chiropractor
whom she had been seeing for treatment of migraine headaches for approximately
18 months. The jury in the inquest ruled that the cause of her stroke was “accidental”
and made recommendations to the profession regarding research, collaboration,
and professional practices. Recommendations were also directed to the Ontario
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Coroner’s Office of Ontario
and other health professions.
“The jury’s first recommendation to conduct a study ‘to assess
the relationship, if any, between high neck manipulation and stroke’ speaks
directly to the profession’s current research agenda,” said CCA
President Dr. Grayden Bridge. “While considerable research has already
taken place, the rarity of complications associated with neck adjustment has
made this a difficult area to study. Further study can only help to shed more
light. In fact, three such studies are currently underway in Canada.”
Canadian DCs
Work Toward Inter-Professional Collaboration
The Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA) has expressed strong support for
the two jury recommendations directed at fostering inter-professional co-operation
and collaboration. A significant area of inter-professional collaboration is
in research. The Consortium of Canadian Chiropractic Research Centres (CCCRC)
currently has 12 university-based research sites established including the chiropractic
research programs at l’Université du Québec à Trois
Rivières and the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. It has sponsored
two Research Chairs in chiropractic—one at the University of Toronto and
one at the University of Calgary.
The CCCRC has also sponsored four significant inter-professional research symposia
since its inception. As well, the CCA is an affiliate member of the international
Canadian Cochrane Network and Centre and a member of the chiropractic profession
serves on the executive committee of the network. The mission of the Cochrane
Collaboration is to prepare, maintain and promote the accessibility of systematic
reviews of the effects of healthcare interventions.
The jury also recommended the establishment of inter-professional committees
to “promote constructive dialogue and sharing of information between the
professions.”
The chiropractic profession is committed to providing safe, effective, evidence-based
care,” said CCA President Dr. Grayden Bridge. “Ongoing research,
collaboration with other health professions and the evolution of clinical practice
guidelines will all enhance our ability to serve patients. We thank the jury
for the considerable time they contributed to this inquest and support the general
direction of their recommendations. This is clearly demonstrated by the policies,
practices and activities of the profession, both past and present.”
United Nations Official Addresses Chiropractic Students;
Discusses WCA Work in Global Arena
Paul Hoeffel, chief of the
NGO Section of the United Nations Department of Public Information, addressed
the World Congress of Chiropractic Students in October at the Université
du Quebéc a Trois-Rivieres, Canada. His presentation, “The United
Nations and Civil Society: Global Health Issues,” touched on a few of
the many global health care campaigns that will require the participation of
NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and other “civil society partners.”
In the opening of his address, he noted that the WCCS organizers became aware
of the work of the Public Information office through the World Chiropractic
Alliance (WCA), an NGO associated with the United Nations through his office.
“The WCA became associated in 1998 when its leadership decided that the
organization wanted to ensure that, as Christopher Kent, its UN representative
puts it, ‘our professional identity is accurately represented on an international
scale and that we have a line of communication between the chiropractic profession
and the world community,’” he explained.
“WCA has worked closely with the NGO Committee on Health, one of the most
active NGO groups working on global health issues within the UN, and has had
fruitful exchanges with the World Health Organization (WHO), based in Geneva.”
Writing about their involvement in UN meetings in their journal and newsletters,
Hoeffel continued, “they have brought news and information about the work
of the UN to your community and supported the UN in its efforts to provide relief
for many health conditions without invasive surgery and expensive medicines.”
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