Brazil:
Dr. Ricardo Fujikawa, president of the Associação Brasileira de Quiropraxia (ABQ), advises that the ABQ, which has previously only held technique seminars, will be holding its 1st Brazilian Chiropractic Congress at the convention centre in Curitiba, Parana, Sept. 13-16, 2006. There will be a day of technique for chiropractors, followed by a three-day interdisciplinary congress on spinal health. For details, contact Dr. Eduardo Bracher at ebracher@terra.com.br.
Canada:
The Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA) and the Canadian Federation of Chiropractic Regulatory Boards (CFCRB), whose members are the licensing bodies in various Canadian provinces, have just completed the first of several clinical practice guidelines being developed - Evidence Based Treatment of Adult Neck Pain Not Due to Whiplash.The guideline was published in the September 2005 issue of the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association.
The fall 2005 issue of the CCA's newsletter, The CCA Report, includes a new position statement from the CCA Board of Governors, titled The Chiropractic Profession Within the Health Care Framework, which has a particular goal of positioning chiropractic within mainstream and "beyond the complementary and alternative medicine classification":
The delivery of health care in Canada is constantly evolving, driven by patient demands, fiscal influences, primary care reform, stakeholder demographics, and the integration of various health care practitioner groups into the formal health care system.
The chiropractic profession has also evolved and is defined by the following characteristics:
- Legislated regulatory bodies in every jurisdiction with the statutory authority to define scope of practice, and protect the public interest;
- Established efficacy for a range of clinical indications;
- Standardized national examinations;
- Inclusion in the limited group of regulated health professionals who delivery primary contact health care;
- Established legislation wherein chiropractors are permitted to undertake the controlled act of adjustment/manipulation of the spine and extremity joints;
- An established and growing base of substantive evidence for neuromusculoskeletal conditions.
The chiropractic profession adheres to a patient-centred, biopsychosocial approach to health care, encompassing examination, diagnosis and treatment, and utilizing conservative, safe approaches to health care, minimizing patients' reliance on drugs and surgery when possible.
Chiropractic care is included in insurance plans by both government and third-party payers.
While chiropractic care has been considered complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), the chiropractic profession in Canada today is best described as a regulated, primary health care profession with particular expertise in the care of the spine and extremity articulations.
The practice of chiropractic consists of the examination, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention of spinal, joint and related neuromusculoskeletal disorders.
Indonesia:
In November 2005, a new chiropractic organization, Perhimpunan Chiropraks Indonesia (Perchirindo), was given authority by the government to register chiropractors and regulate the practice of chiropractic in Indonesia. Leaders in the formation of Percharindo are Dr. Anthony Dawson (Palmer 1990), an Australian who has practiced in Indonesia for several years; and Dr. Tinah Tan (RMIT 1999), the only Indonesian among the 15 chiropractors presently in practice in Indonesia. Foreigners planning to practice in Indonesia should contact Daud Pranoto, chairman of the Perchirindo registration board, at dpranoto2005@yahoo.com.au or dpranoto@telkom.net.
Korea:
The practice of chiropractic in South Korea is illegal and, under pressure from the medical association, with the government prosecuting chiropractors with real threat of imprisonment. Korea has approximately 120 qualified chiropractors (and more than 1,000 Korean DCs in the U.S., many of whom would return if the law changed), but many MDs, Oriental medical doctors, PTs and lay manipulators claim to offer chiropractic services. The Korean Chiropractic Association is strongly and impressively led by Drs. Taeg Su Choi (Life) and Myoung-Seok Park (Palmer).
In what was a considerable breakthrough, several congressmen organized a Symposium on Chiropractic at the government's National Assembly on Nov. 8, 2005. This was in response to pressure from the KCA and patients. Following a welcome from Mr. Won-Ki Kim, speaker of the assembly, there were presentations by WFC Secretary-General Mr. David Chapman-Smith and Professor Barry Draper from the School of Chiropractic, RMT University, Melbourne, and then presentations from members of an interdisciplinary panel and the public. Draft legislation to recognize and regulate the profession is now being prepared, but a long and difficult battle can be expected. The KCA needs all the support it can get; if you are able to help, please contact Dr. Choi at chirochoi@chirochoi.com.
Norway:
The August 2005 issue of Back Space, the newsletter of the European Chiropractors' Union, gave front-page treatment to the profession's major legislative victory in Europe in 2005: government funding for chiropractic services in Norway. Following a pilot project in 2003-2004, the government proposed extending practice and referral rights for chiropractors, along with funding for their services. However, the government's proposal for funding specified referral by a medical doctor.
In June 2005, following an extensive lobby and political campaign by the Norwegian Chiropractors' Association, all political parties in
the Norwegian parliament voted in favour of funding for independent chiropractic services. Congratulations to the NCA and its president, Dr. Øystein Ogre, on a major victory for patients and the profession.
Sweden:
The Swedish Chiropractic Society and its president, Dr. Patrich Wennergren, will host the 2006 European Chiropractors' Union Annual Convention, which will be held in the beautiful capital city of Stockholm from May 25-27, preceded by the ECU Golf Championship on May 24. For all details, visit www.ECU2006.org.
Taiwan:
In October 2003, Taiwan passed legislation declaring spinal manipulation a medical act and, as in Korea, the practice of chiropractic is now illegal. In response, there has been a major legislative campaign by the Taiwan Chiropractic Doctors' Society, led by TCDS President, Dr. Albert Lee (LACC/SCUHS), and TCDS Secretary, Dr. Ming-Shan Chiang (Palmer West). As a result, a draft chiropractic bill passed first reading in the legislature in November 2005. However, the Taiwan Medical Association is responding aggressively with legislators and in the media, and there is clearly a battle ahead. In late November 2005, TCDS representatives and WFC Secretary-General Mr. David Chapman-Smith met with government leaders, including Minister of Health, Dr. Sheng Mou Hou. A major press conference, convened by legislators and featuringa number of patients, including a famous TV star, led to strong media support for the chiropractic case. If you can help the 30 brave DCs in the TCDS fighting for the recognition of the profession in Taiwan, please contact Dr. Albert Lee at albrtlee@tpts8.seed.net.tw.
