Chiropractic Job Market Predicted to Grow Substantially by 2020
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics latest 10-year job projections for professional industries, jobs in chiropractic will increase by 28 percent by 2020, a rapid growth rate during that time frame compared to many other professions.
Overall, health care jobs dominated the top 20 predicted growth positions, led by personal care aids (#1; 70 percent predicted growth rate by 2020) and home care aids (#2; 69 percent predicted growth rate). Other health care occupations in the top 20 include biomedical engineers (#3; 62 percent), veterinary technologists and technicians (#6; 62 percent), diagnostic medical sonographers (#11; 44 percent), occupational therapy assistants (#12; 43 percent), and medical secretaries (#16; 41 percent).
Additionally, physical therapy jobs are predicted to increase by an even greater percentage than chiropractic by 2020, according to the Handbook, including careers as physical therapists (#20; 39 percent), physical therapist aids (#8; 43 percent) and physical therapist assistants (#13; 46 percent).
Alberta Reinstates Chiropractic Coverage for Seniors
Effective July 1, 2012, Alberta, Canada seniors are now covered for chiropractic services as part of the "Coverage for Seniors" health benefit plan. Seniors enrolled in the plan, sponsored by Alberta Health and administered by Alberta Blue Cross, are covered for $200 per benefit year (July 1 – June 30) for up to $25 per visit under the Alberta government's $7 million budgetary allocation for chiropractic services. The announcement, which comes three years after public funding for chiropractic was discontinued, is the fulfillment of a promise made by Alberta Premier Alison Redford during her successful campaign for election last year.
"This is a definite win for Albertans," said Dr. Clark Mills, president of the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors (ACAC). "All Albertans, including those with limited or no extended health care coverage, deserve a choice of accessible and effective health care options."
Chiropractic Action Team Jumps Into Action Following Latest Earthquakes in Italy
As of June 2, the nonprofit Chiropractic Action Team (CAT) is in northern Italy providing pro-bono chiropractic services following the two earthquakes that occurred on May 20 and May 29, causing widespread damage and displacement. According to Jennifer Lovern, DC, DIBCN, CCSP, FASA, FICC, president of CAT, "We are currently serving 4 days a week with an average of 120-150 first responders each day. We are currently working with the leaders of the ECU to set up a field experience for chiropractic students from Paris's IFEC and England's AECC college in Bournemouth." Dr. Lovern added that CAT has a "memorandum of understanding" with the Italian Red Cross and National Fire Service, which she said allows the CAT to collaborate with both federal departments.
CAT, headquartered in San Diego with a European base office in Bologna, Italy, has initiated a fund-raising drive to continue the organization's relief project into the fall; you can donate either on the CAT Web site (www.chiroaction.org) or the nonprofit site Ammado.com (www.ammado.com/community/123579).
To learn more about the Chiropractic Action Team, read "The Chiropractic Action Team - Solidarity Through Peace," which appeared in the Sept. 9, 2010 issue and details the organization's inception in the wake of the L'Aquila, Italy earthquake in 2009.
Foot Levelers, Activator Announce Partnership
Two of the chiropractic profession's most well-known and successful vendors – Foot Levelers, Inc., and Activator Methods, International – recently announced an historic partnership to offer a new orthotic to support the Activator technique. According to Dwayne Bennett, president of Foot Levelers, the company "is excited to work with Activator Methods to incorporate Stabilizing Orthotics into the Activator technique. Our goal is to work together to continue the great tradition of supporting the adjustment."
Added Activator Founder and President, Arlan Fuhr, DC, "Having traveled the world in my efforts to help doctors improve patient care, I'm excited to have yet another tool in the arsenal to share with the tens of thousands of chiropractors in the Activator Methods' family of practitioners."