The WFC membership consists of all of the national chiropractic associations from 70 countries.
The current WFC officers are:
Dr. Louis Sportelli, U.S. -- president
Dr. Bruce Vaughan, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China -- 1st. vice-president
Dr. Paul Carey, Canada -- 2nd vice-president
Dr. Anthony Metcalfe, U.K. -- secretary/treasurer
Dr. John Sweaney of Australia, the WFC's immediate past president, was recognized for his many contributions to the federation. Dr. Sweaney has been an executive officer of the WFC since the federation's inception in 1989, and has earned the respect of all for his ability, judgment and leadership.
World Congress of Medical Law -- Siofok, Hungary, August 2-6, 1998. About 500 registrants from over 50 countries attended the 12th Congress of the World Association of Medical Law (WAML), co-sponsored by the World Health Organization and the International Council of Nurses.
At the invitation of the WAML, the WFC presented a session on chiropractic medicolegal issues. Scott Haldeman, DC, MD, PhD (USA) spoke on risks, benefits and appropriateness of cervical manipulation. Other speakers and their topics included: Mr. David Chapman-Smith, Canada, (cervical manipulation and informed consent in the U.S. and Canada); Dr. Niels Nilsson, Denmark, (referral between medical and chiropractic doctors in a country with chiropractic legislation); and Dr. Sira Borges, Brazil, (referral issues in a country without chiropractic legislation).
Valuable contacts were made with government officials, WHO officials and representatives of such organizations as the International Council of Nurses and the British Medical Association. The next biennial WAML Meeting will be held in Helsinki, Finland (August 6-10, 2000).
Cochrane Collaboration. The WFC, with funding support from the Canadian Chiropractic Protective Association (CCPA), has been supporting chiropractic participation in the Cochrane Collaboration, a voluntary international network of health-science researchers which compiles and reviews clinical trials and publishes them electronically and in leading journals.
The 1998 annual meeting of the Cochrane Collaboration was held in Baltimore, Maryland in October. The WFC and the CCPA supported attendance by Niels Nilsson, DC, MD, PhD (Denmark) who has particular expertise and interest in headache trials.
Proposed Task Force on the Cervical Spine. In June, the WFC convened a meeting in Washington, D.C. to look into the possible formation of a major international interdisciplinary task force on the conservative management of the cervical spine. Such a task force would review the literature, conduct original research and produce conclusions and recommendations. One of its purposes would be to counter the irresponsible comments sometimes made by neurologists about the risk and appropriateness of the cervical adjustment.
The profession's two largest malpractice organizations, the National Chiropractic Mutual Insurance Company and the Canadian Chiropractic Protective Association have provided funds for a team led by WFC Research Council members Dr. David Cassidy and Dr. Scott Haldeman to develop a completed proposal for a task force by April 1999.
Country News
ArgentinaDr. Diego Merkier, a 1997 graduate of Life University, returned to Cordoba, Argentina early this year to start the first legitimate chiropractic practice in the country. Dr. Merkier's father is a kinesiologist who has practiced manipulative health care for over 30 years and leads a group of kinesiologists that hope to introduce chiropractic education into Argentina in cooperation with an accredited chiropractic college and a local university.
Australia
An improved seat design invented by Alan Powell, DC (Melbourne) has been used for the past year by Ansett Airlines on domestic flights. Ansett, British Airways and other airline carriers will have the new seat installed on their international jets. Major auto manufacturers are also expressing interest in the seat design.
Pursuant to an endorsement agreement between the Chiropractors' Association of Australia (CAA) and Ansett, the airline has written materials on chiropractic, including exercises, for every passenger on flights using the seating technology. This material is expected to also be distributed on the international flights. The CAA reports that this has already led to greatly increased visibility and acceptance for the chiropractic profession in Australia.
Brazil
The Brazilian Chiropractors' Association (BCA) hosted a two-day technique seminar for members and students at Feevale University, October 30-November 1, 1998. Dr. Zolton Szaraz, former dean of technique at the Canadian Memorial College of Chiropractic, presented biomechanics, diagnosis and adjusting techniques for the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. All chiropractors are welcome.
Japan
At the invitation of Japanese chiropractic leaders, the WFC, represented by past-president Dr. John Sweaney, and secretary- general Mr. David Chapman-Smith, held meetings for chiropractors in Tokyo on October 10-11, 1998 in a further effort to establish acceptable minimum standards of education. This is a key issue for professional unity and future government recognition.
Sweden
In May, the Swedish government introduced legislation to formally recognize the Scandinavian College of Chiropractic (SCC) and give full authorization to its graduates to practice as registered chiropractors. The Swedish Chiropractic Association (SCA), which represents formally trained chiropractors and is the WFC member in Sweden, has opposed the SCC, which has grown outside the mainstream chiropractic profession like the McTimoney School of Chiropractic in the UK. However, it has been obstructed by the difficult legal situation in Sweden. When the government passed legislation to regulate chiropractic in 1989, it did not offer full title protection. SCA members could use the title registered chiropractor and their patients could receive reimbursement through public health care funding, but locally trained practitioners were still allowed to use the title "chiropractor." SCC graduates will now also qualify as registered chiropractors.
United Kingdom
The Anglo-European College of Chiropractic has announced that its new principal will be Professor Gabriel Donleavy, an economist and lawyer with degrees from Cambridge University, the University of Glasgow and the University of London. Currently deputy vice chancellor at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia, Professor Donleavy held a series of senior management jobs in the private sector in England before entering the academic world to teach and research business studies.
Watch for the WFC's next world report early next year. For more information on the World Federation of Chiropractic, including associate memberships, visit the WFC's website at www.wfc.org or write to:
World Federation of Chiropractic
ATTN: David Chapman-Smith, LLB
78 Glencairn Avenue
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4R1M8
tel: (416) 484-9978
fax: (416) 484-9665
Dynamic Chiropractic editorial staff members research, investigate and write articles for the publication on an ongoing basis. To contact the Editorial Department or submit an article of your own for consideration, email
.