State Assoc's to Hold Guideline's Development Planning Conference

The Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (COCSA) is
progressing on schedule toward its October 23-24 Guideline's
Development Planning Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Seventeen
participants have been confirmed. Mr. David Chapman-Smith will
facilitate the conference. Mr. Don Petersen Jr., will assist in
administration, and Attorney Rob Sherman (executive director of the
COCSA) will oversee the organizational details.

Funds are coming in from various groups and organizations in
support of the conference. The Congress thanks the following early
association contributors for their support:

* California Chiropractic Association

* Connecticut Chiropractic Society

* Florida Chiropractic Society

* Indiana State Chiropractic Association

* Kansas Chiropractic Association

* Maine Chiropractic Association

* Michigan Chiropractic Council

* Michigan Chiropractic Society

* North Dakota Chiropractic Association

* Ohio State Chiropractic Association

* Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island

* Virginia Chiropractic Association

* Wisconsin Chiropractic Association

The Congress also wishes to thank the Council on Chiropractic
Education, Foot Levelers, Inc., Leander Research Manufacturing and
Distributing, Inc., and the National Chiropractic Mutual Insurance
Co., for their contributions and support.

A recent survey of the conference participants set the formulation
of a representative Guideline's Development Advisory Council as the
priority-one topic for discussion. This council would oversee the
development of chiropractic guidelines. The number two priority is
determining the process for revising current guidelines; number
three is setting the process for accepting professional input and
proposals.

The 17 participants will represent the American Chiropractic
Association, International Chiropractors Association, Council on
Chiropractic Education, Association of Chiropractic Colleges,
National Association of Chiropractic Attorneys, Federation of
Chiropractic Licensing Boards, Congress of Chiropractic State
Associations, and the academic, research and clinical practice
communities. The participants are as follows:

We are also pleased that Dr. Daniel Hansen has agreed to serve as a
resource to the conference.

It should be readily apparent that the profession will be broadly
represented at the conference. The academic/research community is
strongly represented, as is the clinical practice community. At
least 10 of the 17 participants have prior experience in
guideline's development.

The Congress seeks to build a stronger agreement among mainstream
chiropractic practitioners relative to clinical practice
guidelines. Broad representation of the profession, augmented by
the academic and research experience of our teachers,
administrators and scientists, will insure strong consensus
building. The president of the National Association of
Chiropractic Attorneys, Mr. Paul Watson-Lambert, will help provide
input from the legal community.

This conference promises to be both interesting and productive. It
is our objective to provide a game plan for continuing the process
of chiropractic guideline development and consensus building.
Current guidelines must be continuously updated and improved.
Additional guidelines and practice parameters must be developed as
the chiropractic profession progresses into the 21st century.

Comments have begun to filter in from participants, colleges and
practitioners relative to the upcoming conference. Your considered
comments are encouraged. All comments that have been received as
of this date are being packaged for distribution to the conference
participants. It is the position of the Congress that guidelines
are most effective when the profession at large takes an active
part in the development process, and offers considered input into
those guidelines that are developed.

The Congress requests your support of this process. Please send
your comments, concerns or proposals concerning chiropractic
guideline's development to the address below. Conference funding
contributions are being accepted as well. Be an active participant
in the guideline development process, on whatever level possible,
and help us to assure that chiropractic guidelines will be
reliable, flexible, logical, and applicable to the clinical
practice of chiropractic.

Guideline's Development Planning Conference
Congress of Chiropractic State Associations
37 W. Broad Street, Suite 785
Columbus, Ohio 43215