The Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA), in cooperation with provincial associations, the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CmCC), and other important chiropractic associations throughout Canada, have been hard at work for over 18 months on a Canadian version of the landmark Mercy Center Conference (Quality Assurance Conference). Like the American conference, the Canadian coaliton has been established so that chiropractors can set their own practice guidelines before government agencies and/or third-party payers take over the process.
One of the first steps in this process was the formation of the CCA Standards of Practice Steering Committee in 1990. The committee is charied by Donald Henderson, D.C., and his five other members: John Cochrane, D.C.; Paul Pritchard, D.C.; Donald Sutherland, D.C.; Herb Vear, D.C.; and Mr. David Chapman-Smith, L.L.B. Hons.
The Steering Committee acts as a resource and a coordinating body for he 24-member Standards of Practice Review Group. Members of the Review Group were appointed by provincial associations and other Canadian chiropractic organizations. They are as follows:
Provincial Association Appointments
Douglas Mcleod, D.C. Alberta
Don Nixdorf, D.C. British Columbia
Daniel Wilson, D.C. Manitoba
Laurie Goyeche,D.C. Newfoundland/Lbdr.
Brian Seaman, D.C. Nova Scotia
Randy Kerr, D.C. Ontario
Bruce Hayhoe, D.C. New Brunswick
Roderick Belyea, D.C. Prince Edward Island
Laurent Boisvert, D.C. Quebec
David Buettner, D.C. Saskatchewan
Canadian Organization Representatives
Lu Barbuto, D.C. College of Chiropractic Sciences (CCS)
Paul Carey, D.C. Canadian Chiropractic Protective Association (CCPA)
Paul Robinson, D.C. Chiropractic Review Council, Ministry of Health
Peter Diakow, D.C. CCS
Meridel Gatterman, D.C. CMCC
Gary Goodyear, D.C. College of Chiropractic Sports Science (CCSS) Leonard Hardman, D.C. CCR
Ron Hill, D.C. Canadian Council on Chiropractic Roentgenology (CCCR)
Henry Morrison, D.C. CMCC
John Mrozek, D.C. CMCC
Charlie Naccarato, D.C. CMCC
Don Nixdorf, D.C. CCE(Canada)
Jim Nykoliation, D.C. Canadian Federation of Chiropractic Regulatory Bodies (CFCRB)
Stefan Pallister, D.C. CMCC
Howard Vernon, D.C. CMCC
The Canadian Standards of Practice Review Group will be establishing guidelines in 20 areas, differing slightly from the Mercy Center Conference's 15 areas. Each one has a three-person committee: a "team leader" and two team members. The 20 areas and their team leaders are:
Informed Consent: Paul Carey, D.C.
Initial Clinical Examination: John Mrozek, D.C.
Initial Documentation: Brian Seaman, D.C.
X-ray Imaging: Leonard Hardman, D.C.
Laboratory Procedures: Laurent Boisvert, D.C.
Therapeutic and Diagnostic Instrumentation: Stefan Pallister, D.C.
Analysis/Diagnosis/Impression: John Mrozek, D.C.
Record Keeping: Henry Morrison, D.C.
Frequency & Duration of Care: Douglas Mcleod, D.C.
Periodic Re-assessment: Don Nixdorf, D.C.
Mode of Care/Managemnt: Jim Nykoliation, D.C.
Outcome Assessment: Lu Barbuto, D.C.
Interprofessional Networking: David Buettner, D.C.
Management of Treatment Complications: Donald Henderson, D.C.
Maintenance/Prevention/Supportive Care: Randy Kerr, D.C.
Continuing Education: Charlie Naccarato, D.C.
Role of Associations/Licensing Bodies in Developing and Ensuring Standards: Paul Robinson, D.C.
Research in Quality Care: Herbert Vear, D.C.
Practice Advertising: Laurie Goyeche, D.C.
Chiropractic Terminology/Glossary: Meridel Gatterman, D.C.
The team leaders turned in their first chapter drafts August 1, 1991. These were forwarded to the team members and the steering committee. Participants repeated the process for the second drafts (November 1, 1991) and the third drafts (December 15, 1991). The fourth drafts will be prepared March 31, 1992, after a review of the completed guidelines from the Mercy Center Conference. On May 26, 1992 there will be a Standards of Practice seminar held in conjunction with the CCA convention. This is when the participants will schedule a date for a final Standards of Practice Consensus Conference. By June 1992 the final drafts on the standards will be available to the CCA for review and wider distribution.
Canadian chiropractors have taken the reins of their profession, and their practice guidelines conference is progressing at an incredible pace. Both the Mercy Center Conference and the Canadian conference are sure indicators that the chiropractic profession is taking control of its own future. When the profession has established its own guidelines there will be less room for any outside interference, and this certainly is something all the diverse groups within chiropractic can agree upon.
Barbara Migliaccio
Second Assistant Editor
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