HOW MUCH LONGER MUST THE PUBLIC WAIT FOR THE HEALTH CARE
THEY DESERVE?
Highlights of BC Chiropractors' 67th Annual General Meeting and International
Conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2000 Richmond - British Columbians are being denied improved health care that is readily available at reduced cost, says the BC Chiropractic Association.
International researchers presented findings this weekend to an audience that included lawyers, human resource professionals and BC's chiropractic doctors in a conference emphasizing the efficacy, the economics and the politics of chiropractic care for neck and low back pain.
Citing the results of international studies, researchers suggest that our government - and insurers such as the Workers Compensation Board - continue to ignore the hard evidence: chiropractic doctors are best suited to diagnose and treat low back injuries, and could save the British Columbia and Canadian health care systems hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
"Injured workers suffering back pain in our province are not being informed of their options for care," says Dr. Brian Arthur, President of the BC Chiropractic Association. "They are not being told that there's a better way. Informed choice is not happening in British Columbia."
People are suffering needlessly, say BC's chiropractors. Employers' costs continue to rise, when injured workers could be getting back to work sooner, at less cost.
Dr. Pran Manga, Ph.D., Professor and Director, University of Ottawa, says that the public should be asking governments and insurers, "Given the evidence and the rationale, what possible reason is there to remain with the status quo?" Dr. Manga suggests that our current health care system does not promote patient access to the full range of effective health care options available, and says that we could better utilize our existing health care labour force. He states, "Rather than evidence-based medicine, we should be talking about evidence-based health care. There is great economic sense in having chiropractors treat low back pain."
The evidence is more than economic, says researcher Dr. LaVerne Saboe, a member of Western States Chiropractic College postdoctorate faculty. Some 40 randomized studies conducted worldwide confirm that chiropractic treatment is not only more effective than medical treatment - it's safer. Dr. Michael Vipond, President of the BC College of Chiropractors agrees. "Chiropractic is a non-invasive, drug-free, results-oriented form of treatment that exposes the patient to less risk than medical approaches that traditionally favour medications and surgery."
As a primary health care provider in the province, the BC Chiropractic Association suggests that British Columbians deserve better. They say that the government and insurers are compromising the best interests of the public - and incurring greater expense for employers - by ignoring the evidence. Part of the solution to our current health care crisis exists, they say. Why aren't we taking advantage of the opportunity to better serve, better care for, the residents of British Columbia?
Conference Keynote Speakers:
“Why Work Hardening May Fail in Patients With Low Back Pain” presented by James Elliott, MSPT, Research Director and Physical Therapist, Therapeutic Management, Inc., Denver, Colorado
“Comparing Medical and Chiropractic Morbidity, Mortality, Clinical Efficacy, and Cost Effectiveness: Chiropractic Doctors as Gatekeepers” - presented by Dr. LaVerne A. Saboe, Jr., DC, FABS, DAAPM, DACAN, DABDA, FIC, DABFE
“The Legal and Economic Reality of Chiropractic Care” - Keynote Address by Mr. Anthony Vecchio, President, BC Trial Lawyers Association
“The Economics and Politics of Low Back Care: Options for Better Outcomes” - presented by Professor Pran Manga, Ph.D., Professor and Director at University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario
“Evidence-based Practice and its Importance in the Delivery of High Quality and Effective Health Care” - presented by Dr. Kim Humphreys, D.C., Ph.D., Chiropractic Researcher, Head of Academic Affairs, Bournemouth, Dorset UK
An overview of speaker's notes will be posted here shortly.
Established in 1933, the British Columbia Chiropractic Association represents over seven hundred licensed chiropractic doctors in the province of B.C.
Chiropractic doctors focus on the total body in relation to the spine, and specialize in their knowledge and treatment of its component bone structures, muscles and nerves. The third-largest primary care givers in the province, last year BC chiropractic doctors treated over 475 thousand patients.
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For statistical data, or to arrange an interview with any one of the experts quoted, Please Contact: Margo Bates Publicity Inc., Vancouver Telephone: 604-536-9501 Fax: 604-536-9506 E-mail: margo@margobatespr.com