Chiropractic Conference Brings the Nation's Top Chiropractic Physicians Together to Determine Priority Areas for the Next 25 Years.

DALLAS -- A consensus conference was held February 17 through February 19 at the National University of Health Science outside of Chicago to focus on recommendations in a plan of action for the chiropractic profession as a whole. Leading the Chiropractic Strategic Planning Conference was John J. Triano, D.C., Ph.D., who focused on issues of credibility and appropriate utilization of chiropractic care by the public.

"It is nice to have a forum for our physicians to discuss the hurdles chiropractic care has to overcome, independent of formal professional association politics," said Triano, who served as head of the conference's steering committee. "Chiropractic care has come a long way in past years and this gives us a way to mold the profession to reach higher goals and better serve our patients in the future."

Attending the conference were leaders in chiropractic education, research and practice who heard recommendations from experts in the study of health professions, health care futurists, medicine and federal research programs. Together, the group worked to come to a resolution on important issues related to the current and future state of chiropractic care. Among the issues discussed were the barriers to and opportunities for greater integration and interprofessional cooperation. From these discussions, two distinct priority areas emerged, integrity and trust and equitable public support for education and research. (please see below)

Regarding the issue of integrity and trust, those in attendance focused on the inappropriate treatment and billing practices adopted by some members of the chiropractic profession that often place the economic interests of these chiropractors before the best interests of the patients. The attendees resolved that this treatment undermines public trust in all members of the chiropractic profession, whether they are participants in the practice or not.

The other topic heavily discussed was equitable public support for education and research. Attendees at the conference voiced their concern of the absence of fair and equitable public funding and support for chiropractic education and research in both public and private institutions. Specifically, the conference found a lack of support within the academic and interdisciplinary environments, including participation with publicly funded universities and health care facilities.

"I, along with the rest of the conference, urge the chiropractic profession along with its leaders and regulators to address the issue of integrity and trust among our profession," said Triano. "I feel that the ultimate goal of improved quality care within the North American health care system can only be reached when all members of the profession, along with stakeholders, strive for and demand equitable public support for education and research within the chiropractic care sector."

Jim Winterstein, D.C. who also serves as a member of the steering committee added, "The chiropractic profession has much to offer the public in the way of health care. It is my hope that this planning process can begin to turn the tide toward greater cultural authority for the chiropractic profession and better care for our patients."

Future conferences are in the planning stages under the conferences multidisciplinary steering committee, which consists of professional journal editors, association leaders, a college president, private chiropractic practitioners and a medical physician who serves as director of the Samueli Institute.

Formal Resolution by The Chiropractic Strategic Planning Conference:

At the Chiropractic Strategic Planning Conference, leaders in chiropractic education, research, and practice resolved that the ongoing fuller integration of chiropractic education and practice within the North American health care system, and improved communication and collaboration between doctors of chiropractic and other health professionals, are in the interests of patients and all parties concerned.

Following a review of the barriers to, and the opportunities for, such greater integration and interprofessional cooperation, the conference identified and acknowledged two priority areas that need to be addressed, namely:

a. Integrity and trust. The inappropriate treatment and billing practices adopted by some members of the profession that place the economic interests of the chiropractor before the best interests of the patient undermines public trust in all members of the profession.

b. Equitable public support for education and research. There is an absence of fair and equitable public funding and other support for chiropractic education and research in either public or private institutions. Specifically, there is a lack of support within the academic and interdisciplinary environments, including participation with publicly-funded universities and health care facilities.

The Conference urges the chiropractic profession, and its leaders and regulators, to address the first above matter, and the profession and all other stakeholders to address the second above matter, to the ultimate end of improved quality care within the North American health care system.

The Chiropractic Strategic Planning Conference is lead by interdisciplinary ad hoc steering committee of concerned professionals convened to address issues involved with the chiropractic care industry. Attendees and speakers at events are invited from lists of leaders, authors, scientists, practitioners and educators in chiropractic, medicine and law in North America. Members of the Samueli Institute and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine also attend the conference. A progressive, formal consensus process defining methods of improving professional transparency, accountability and appropriate utilization of these services are followed. The conference was initially conceived as a one-time event, but attendees voted that an additional meeting be convened during the spring or summer of 2006 to make further advances on critical patient care issues. For more information on the future event, please contact John J. Triano, D.C., Ph.D., at [e-mail].