April 3,
Toronto, ON – Students at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) are
praising the 2009 Practice OpportUnity event that took place last Friday, March
27.
Keynote
speaker, Dr. Donald Murphy, from the Rhode
Island Spine Center, began the informative day by discussing
the key elements for developing a patient-centered practice, and was followed
by panel presentations dealing with realities of practice and inter-professional
collaboration. The day ended with a trade show, featuring products and services
for practicing chiropractors as well as many clinics searching for new
associates.
Two panel
presentations were available for all students from first to fourth year.
The
Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) sponsored the Practice Realities Panel
that consisted of DCs who are involved with the profession in a variety of
ways. These chiropractors discussed
issues such as examining one’s reasons for becoming a DC as well as determining
one’s goals and vision for practice, acquiring business acumen, deciding where
and how to practice (US, Canada, abroad – own practice, associate, locum, etc),
perseverance and life balance when working as a chiropractor, etc. Students were encouraged to think carefully
about all these aspects prior to graduating, in order to facilitate entry into
a successful career as a DC.
Moderated
by Dr. Tony Tibbles, Director of Clinical Education and Patient Care at CMCC,
the Inter-professional Collaboration Panel presented various opportunities for
inter-professional practice – and their rationale – to all CMCC students. Panel members hailed from a variety of health
team situations and the focus was on chiropractors becoming key players, within
our health system, in providing comprehensive and patient-centered care. Although acute case studies were presented, management
of chronic illness was a recurring theme.
Students,
from all years, are very pleased with the event.
Aaron
Puhl, first year student, noted, “I found the event to be an excellent
opportunity for exposure to the issues that will become important in the near
future. The panel discussions were my favourite component, in that they stimulated
questions and thought, and involved the sharing of perspectives by a variety of
professionals currently in practice.”
Third
year student, Aveshnee Pillay, said, “Of key interest to me was the panel
discussion on inter-professional collaboration of chiropractors within the
health care spectrum. It provided insight into how some chiropractors in the
community are playing an active role in the multidisciplinary model of health
care. Even though the feedback from other health care professionals was rather
positive, I believe that the chiropractic profession needs to continue to be
diligent in its pursuit of complete integrated and patient-centered health care.”
Pillay
adds, “The tradeshow was exciting and informative regarding future practice
opportunities and product availability.”
Peter Lejkowski,
who is excited to graduate and make his way into practice this year, notes, “The
expert panel gave encouraging insights into the future of chiropractors in
multidisciplinary settings and Dr. Murphy stole the crowd with his talk on
patient- centered care. All in all, the day was both educational and inspiring.”
All three
are looking forward to next year’s event.
Students
actively participated in the trade show by visiting booths, talking to
representatives from manufacturers, distributors, services, associations,
societies, practices, clinics and a host of other business and practice
supporters.
Congratulations
to organizers of the event at CMCC for orchestrating a successful and
informative day.
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