May 1, Montreal QC
– The importance of research for the
profession of chiropractic was reiterated, by a panel of Canadian DC scientists,
at the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) 10th Biennial
Congress. Topics discussed included strategies that are needed to support chiropractic students who are interested careers
in research, and the relevance of basic science work to the future of clinical
practice.
A large audience
– standing room only in the main lecture hall – remained engrossed throughout a
two-and-half-hour session during which Drs. Martin Normand , Greg Kawchuk, Jean-Sebastien
Blouin, Mark Erwin and Martin Descarreaux presented state-of-the-art research,
as well as an overview of various university research program developments
involving DCs. The scientists then
formed a panel, moderated by Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation’s (CCRF)
director of research programs, Dr.Allan Gotlib, to address a variety of
concerns and questions from the audience.
The panel
drew a clear link between basic science research and clinical practice by
noting that the depth of understanding and knowledge gleaned through research –
employing protocols specifically designed to address all the fundamental characteristics
of pathologies and their manifestations – can result in earlier detection, and
more effective treatment, of the problems faced by chiropractors in their clinics. The panel went on to agree that treatment
should ideally be employed before patients are faced with situations of chronic
and debilitating pain.
The panel
also commented on current challenges facing chiropractic students who aspire to a career in basic science research. Panel members encouraged students to create
opportunities and “show up!” – this meant that students should not be fearful
of actively pursuing their research career goal. The panel encouraged student attendees to find ways to talk to, and/or
work with, the scientists involved in their areas of interest. Furthermore, the panel concluded that a
strategy is required to help students with tuition loans, after graduation, so
that they can afford to go forward into a research career – if they choose –
rather than having to worry about working to pay off debt loads.
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