UPFRONT | News PAIN mANAgEmENT Ontario recognizes chiropractic role in primary health care The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will soon be releasing a call for proposals for a primary care low back pain (PCLBP) pilot program that will support in-terprofessional health-care teams in providing more effec-tive management of low back pain. Minister Deb Matthews made the announcement in a video message to the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) during its annual gen-eral meeting on Oct. 5. “You’re an important part of our efforts to deliver the right care in the right place at the right time,” said Matthews. “This pilot program is aimed at improving lower back pain management in primary care settings. Interdis-ciplinary teams will be funded to design, plan and implement a lower back pain program,” the minister explained. The model for primary care low back pain management will be geared towards family health teams, nurse-practi-tioner-led clinics, community health centres and aboriginal access health centres, accord-ing to Matthews. In addition, Matthews an-nounced that within the year, chiropractic will be added to the list of professions eligible to work in family health teams and nurse-practitioner-led clinics. “Combined with the lower back pain program, these are important first steps in explor-ing the ways in which chiro-practors can be integrated into interdisciplinary primary health-care teams,” Matthews said. In a statement posted on its website, the OCA welcomed www.canadianchiropractor.ca BOOk Matthews’ announcements, saying this development is “unique” in the history of chiropractic in Ontario and presents a significant shift in government policy. “The announcements to-gether signify that chiroprac-tors are viewed by the ministry as an important component of the health-care system, and further paths for our inclusion are being explored,” the OCA statement said. Taking its cue from these announcements, the OCA said it will now focus on how f amily health teams, nurse-practitioner-led clinics, community health centres and aboriginal access health cen-tres will take advantage of the opportunity. “Our member-driven Local Health Integration Network liaison program, which exists for promoting opportunities like these throughout all re-gions of the province, will be an integral part of this effort,” the OCA said. According to David Jensen, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the PCLBP pilot is in line with the ministry’s low back pain (LBP) strategy, by promoting better patient out-comes and satisfaction, im-proving quality and efficiency in LBP management and supporting the adoption of clinical best practices in the treatment of LBP. To date, the ministry’s LBP strategy has seen reductions of almost 20 per cent in diagnos-tic imaging, resulting in cost savings of $13 million, Jensen told Canadian Chiropractor. “The PCLBP pilot will see the integration of interprofes-sional allied health provider services into primary care teams to provide treatment, assessment, patient education and referral for LBP patients,” Jensen explained. “Through the pilot, the above-noted primary care settings will re-cruit allied health providers with the appropriate skills and fit to deliver services, with any combination of chiropractor, physiotherapist, occupational therapist and kinesiologist eli-gible for inclusion.” The addition of chiropractic in the list of eligible profes-sions in primary health-care setting means chiropractors are now eligible to work in Ontario’s family health teams (FHTs) and nurse-pract-itioner-led clinics (NPLCs). He added the need for chi-ropractors in these primary care settings would be deter-mined by each organization based on the health needs of their patient population and their ability to integrate new professionals into their team. The OCA said the an-nouncements will not likely generate a huge number of new positions for chiroprac-tors in primary care team set-tings in the immediate future. “The full impact of this on the profession and our patients will be seen over the next dec-ade. However there will be new opportunities for chiro-practors to be funded through both the ministry’s new low back pain project and through the FHT/Nurse Led Practi-tioner Clinic budget lines. On a broader basis, the inclusion of our profession in a funded primary care system will en-hance the reputation and brand of the profession across the province.,” the OCA said. By Mari-Len De Guzman Bike ride through life, faith Nova Scotia-based chiropractor and former Canadian Chiropractor edi-torial advisory board member Dr. Patrick Milroy has launched his new book, The Forest Tabernacl e, a memoir about faith and overcoming adversities. On a spiritual quest, free from the Catholic paradigm of his up -bringing, young Dr. Milroy set out on a bicycle excursion from St. Thomas, Ont., to Fort Lauderdale in Florida. From bike trails to road -ways, campgrounds to cafés, he encountered a variety of eccentric characters. In his book, Dr. Milroy takes readers through adversity and af -fliction, establishing his self-identity and redefining his relationship with God, even against the hostility of a predator. Early in his chiropractic clinical practice, Dr. Milroy has expressed empathy for victims of assault. His affinity to help others relates to his own experience of sexual assault during a cross-country bicycle tour in 1986. Born in St. Paul, Minn., in 1962, Dr. Milroy holds a bachelor and mas -ters degrees in Physical Education from the University of Western Ontario. Upon graduation from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 1994, he started his prac -tice and built a life in Halifax. Throughout his personal and professional life, Dr. Milroy has been devoted in his passion for educating others on the importance of caring for the body – which he calls the “temple of the soul.” He continues to reach out to peo -ple, groups and organizations to promote physical, mental and spiritual healing and wellness. The Forest Tabernacle is availa -ble through online bookstore Amazon.com or through his web -site, theforesttabernacle.com. December 2013 Canadian Chiropractor 13
Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor December 2013: Page 13
