The strength of the profession is the uniqueness of the set of skills that chiropractors possess through their education and their training. I’ve always said that doctors of chiropractic, with their conservative and holistic approach deserve to be among the most respected of all healthcare professions because of the services they provide, services that no one else can match for the depth of their philosophy, science and art. Other professions might say they do manual manipulation or mobilization. But chiropractors—through training, methods, and techniques—stand alone in what they’re able to provide to patients who need the care that only a doctor of chiropractic can provide. That’s why our profession is so very special, why patient satisfaction studies on chiropractic care soar. And why we’re going to continue to grow and prosper—patients need our services. 

But that must be coupled with the weakness of the profession, which is that we are far too complacent given the challenges we face. Some say all the signs point to an apathetic society, but in times of great opportunity or great challenge, those that respond in strength and resources are the ones which will be most successful. Our national associations have limited members—25 percent support the ACA or the ICA—with the other 75 percent sitting on their hands. It’s the same with the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress and alumni support of the colleges. Especially with all the debate and discussions on healthcare going on right now, chiropractors deserve to be an important and essential part of any healthcare in our country. It is our responsibility as a profession to support efforts at the state and national level to improve access and knowledge of chiropractic care. The most successful state associations are the ones with the most active participation. 

It makes it that much more difficult for the leaders of the national organizations, the leaders of the state associations, the leaders of organizations of any kind in our profession, when they turn around and there are very few of their colleagues following them, supporting them and pushing them on. We have to be, as a profession, more active, and we have to participate in greater numbers. Once we do that, there’s nothing that we won’t be able to accomplish. 

Is there anything else you want to mention?

Yes. I recently returned from the 63rd Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO), in Geneva. The WFC has been in official relations with WHO as a nongovernmental organization (NGO) since 1997 and has been sending  a delegation to this annual meeting since 1988. Many meetings have taken place in Geneva with government leaders from around the world that have led to many important achievements for the profession. In 2005, WHO Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Chiropractic were published and now are in 11 languages. This WHO endorsement has caused much new acceptance of chiropractic around the world, by governments and universities and other health professions. 

We now have the first DC on staff at WHO, Dr. Molly Robinson, and at the Assembly she was able to facilitate meetings with WHO officials on new projects and support of CCEI standards. WHO recognizes chiropractic as the leading profession worldwide in manual healthcare, and WFC administered the first ever WHO international meeting on manual healthcare in Beijing, China in November 2008. A second international meeting is being discussed for 2011.