Editor's Note: The following country updates are reprinted with permission from the December 2015 World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) Quarterly World Report. Information is excepted for space and edited to DC-specific style guidelines. View the complete report online by clicking here.
TURKEY: New Chiropractic Program at Bahceshir University, Istanbul
WFC Council member and Past President, Dr. Efstathios Papadopoulos, was in attendance at the recent opening of the new chiropractic program at Bahceshir University, the first chiropractic program to be established in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Initially a two-year conversion program, the course will convert to a full-time degree following the graduation of the first cohort. From almost 100 applicants, 22 have been selected, most of whom are physiotherapists.
There were over 200 attendees at the ceremony. Commenting on the opening, Dr. Papadopoulos said, "I would like to congratulate the Turkish Chiropractic Association and particularly Drs. Aurelie Belsot and Mustafa Agaoglu for their hard work and determination to develop the profession in Turkey. I must also thank the board and staff of the university for their vision and confidence in the chiropractic profession to launch the first chiropractic program in Turkey."
CANADA: UQTR Launches New International Musculoskeletal Health Research Unit
The Université du Québec in Trois-Rivières (Canada), in collaboration with the Institut Franco-Européen de Chiropraxie (IFEC) and the Université Paris-Sud's CIAMS (France), recently launched a new international musculoskeletal health research unit.
The team, led by Martin Descarreaux, DC, PhD, and Arnaud Lardon, DC, PhD, is comprised of six researchers from each institution. It is working on the assessment, prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, and special attention will be paid to the risk factors and the management of back pain, sports injuries and conditions that can reduce functional capacity. More specifically, the objectives of the unit are threefold:
- To conduct research that will help better understand the causes of musculoskeletal dysfunction and their consequences in both sedentary individuals as well as in athletes
- To improve the management of musculoskeletal dysfunction through the dissemination of the results of research of the unit
- To promote the transfer of scientific knowledge to clinical practice and future stakeholders involved in musculoskeletal health
Another goal of the unit is to promote researchers and student mobility, as well as international student recruitment. The research unit, which is currently funded by the three institutions involved, is expected to become fully self-sufficient over the next three years through grants and research contracts.
IRELAND: X-Ray Referral Rights Reinstated for Chiropractors
In the last issue of QWR, we reported that a situation had arisen in Ireland whereby diagnostic imaging centers were refusing to accept referrals from chiropractors. The Chiropractic Association of Ireland reports that thanks to the efforts of two of its members, Drs. Jimmy Cosgrave and Seamus Kineally, referral rights have been reinstated with two of the main private imaging companies, meaning chiropractors again have access to MRI and X-ray facilities.
NETHERLANDS: NCA Success in Challenging VAT Authorities
The Netherlands Chiropractic Association (NCA) recently won an appeal against the imposition of VAT (sales tax) by the Dutch authorities. Historically VAT-exempt, in 2013 chiropractors practicing in the Netherlands became subject to VAT, meaning their fees rose by 21 percent overnight. Many chiropractors chose not to pass on this tax to their patients, meaning they were forced to absorb the tax themselves.
At a hearing in September 2015, the Dutch Court ruled that chiropractic and physiotherapy were at the same academic and medical level and as such, imposing VAT on chiropractic services was anti-competitive and unfair.
The Dutch Ministry of finance and tax office appealed against the decision, but withdrew their appeal at the beginning of September. The decision paved the way for chiropractors who were members of the NCA to reclaim all VAT paid on sales from Jan. 1, 2013.
ESTONIA: Newest WFC Member
The Estonia Chiropractic Association (ECA) is one of the newest member countries of the World Federation of Chiropractic, having been accepted into membership at the WFC Assembly in May 2015 in Athens. The ECA's president is Dr. Gerly Truuvaart. A graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, Dr. Truuvaart returned to Estonia to establish a busy practice, from where she juggles her duties as ECA president with treating patients in her Tallinn-based office.
Despite its small numbers, the ECA has wasted no time in establishing relations with the Ministry of Health, with a view to gaining legislation as quickly as possible. Said Dr. Truuvaart: "With full support from both the WFC and the ECU, we have initiated a process to start dialogue with the government authorities. Our goals are to gain legislation and protection of title in Estonia so that Estonians can be protected and know that they are seeing a chiropractor with high standards of conduct and practice."