ICA Takes on WFC Research Council

The International Chiropractors Association has a filed a formal complaint with the World Federation of Chiropractic regarding the WFC Research Council, stating that while the association "supports the World Federation endorsement of an evidence-based, patient-centered, interprofessional and collaborative approach in chiropractic ... the suggestion, however, that the practice of vitalistic, subluxation-oriented chiropractic is unscientific and not evidenced-based is a false premise that must be immediately renounced by the WFC on behalf of many of its member national associations."

The ICA complaint alleges "violations of the WFC 'Principles of governance for WFC office holders' by two members of the WFC Research Council. An accompanying letter, sent from new ICA President Dr. Stephen Welsh to WFC President Dr. Laurie Tassell, makes three specific recommendations as determined "by unanimous agreement of the Board of Directors, the International Chiropractors Association, as a WFC member in good standing":

• "The current Chair of the WFC Research Council be immediately removed from his current position and denied future participation in any activities on behalf of the WFC."
• "An additional member of the WFC Research Council be publicly reprimanded and sanctioned and prohibited from the opportunity to serve in any leadership role at the WFC for at least 5 years."
• "That the sponsoring organization that coordinated, reviewed and permitted the alleged questionable presentations be sanctioned for conduct not reflecting the professional, inclusive and collegial respect for the values embedded in the WFC Strategic Plan, Governing Documents and the WFC Official Policy Statements."

"As a member association of the WFC, the ICA cannot stand by while direct insults to all chiropractors that focus on the correction of the subluxation are hurled from a global stage," said Dr. Welsh in a release. "Such a public display of intolerance undermines the credibility of the entire profession."

When solicited for comment, WFC Secretary-General Richard Brown responded with the following: "The WFC confirms that it has received a letter of complaint from the International Chiropractors Association (ICA). The Board is currently considering the matters raised in the complaint and will respond to the ICA in due course."

The letter and complaint document, outlining the ICA's grievances and providing support for its recommendations, are available here. To access a research paper called out in the complaint, click here.