Manitoba DCs, MDs Team to Improve Canadian Health Care

While the relationship between medicine and chiropractic in the U.S. remains somewhat tenuous, a concordance of forward-thinking DCs and MDs in one of Canada's largest provinces has decided to put their differences aside to work for a common cause. In June, the Manitoba Chiropractors Association (MCA) and the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) announced the formation of a liaison committee comprised of the registrars, presidents and presidents-elect of each organization. The committee was created with the goal of improving relations between the professions and enhancing the level of health care provided to the citizens of Manitoba.

"This committee will help us better understand each other," explained MCA Past President Robert Palaschuk, DC. "It will also provide a forum for discussion of issues of mutual concern and allow us to work together to ensure a safe, effective health care system for all Manitobans."¹

CPSM President Sarah Kredentser, MD, echoed Dr. Palaschuk's sentiments:

"Having a liaison committee to promote cooperation and good relations between the two organizations makes sense. "We hope it will lead to a greater understanding of each others' roles within the health care system."¹

The MCA/CPSM Interprofessional Relations Committee will meet at least once per year to discuss any issues of concern to either organization. The committee has been charged with several objectives, including:

• continuing education and reaching a level of understanding of both the medical and chiropractic professions by each organization;
• continuing education and professional development of the members of each organization as it relates to each profession's contributions to health care;
• promoting cooperation and good relations between the organizations and their members;
• reviewing and discussing each organization's professional guidelines to see how they impact the practice of the other organization's members; and
• identifying external barriers, such as billing procedures, liability and insurance issues, and existing legislation, that may prevent doctors of chiropractic and medical doctors from working cooperatively to improve the level of patient care.

Although the formation of the MCA/CPSM Interprofessional Relations Committee wasn't announced until June, the first meeting of the committee took place May 16 at the Manitoba Chiropractors Association's offices in Winnipeg. In a July 3, 2003 letter sent to MCA members, association president Trevor Winzoski, DC, called the meeting "a turning point in our relationship with the medical profession" and added, "... we trust that members will recognize the significance this will have for patient care in Manitoba."²

References

1. Physicians & chiropractors team up for improved health care. Manitoba Chiropractors Association press release, June 24, 2003.
2. Letter from Trevor Winzoski, DC, to members of the Manitoba Chiropractors Association, July 3, 2003.