Ontario Ministry of Health Recommends Funding Chiropractic Education

The Chiropractic Services Review report released by the Ontario Ministry of Health examines "Health Human Resources Planning and Education" in its second chapter. "Appropriate location and funding for chiropractic education" is examined, with two resulting recommendations:

R2.1 That chiropractic education be placed in the multidisciplinary atmosphere of a university, and be funded in a manner similar to other health professions. (Emphasis added.)

R2.2 That the government develop a health human resources (HHR) plan with respect to chiropractic services.

Specifically the report called for "placing chiropractic education in an Ontario University," and listed the benefits, including:

• Expose chiropractic students to a multidisciplinary atmosphere.

   

• Develop a more constructive relationship between chiropractors and (medical) physicians and other health professionals.

   

• More cooperation in practice between chiropractors and other health professionals, especially (medical) physicians and physiotherapists.

   

• More effective patient care.

   

• Facilitate necessary basic science and clinical research.

   

• More equitable access to chiropractic as a career.

   

• A chiropractic profession more representative of the Ontario population.

While the efforts of Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) to affiliate with York University continue (please see "Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College Begins Affiliation Process with York University," July 17, 1995 issue), this reports serves to strengthen that relationship.

The advantages of integrating chiropractic education with mainstream education are many. Chiropractic education is slowly but certainly moving away from its isolation.