of whom were medical students or medi- cal doctors. Consequently, I often found myself faced with many questions about chiropractic. I was shocked at how little this select group of international health professionals/students, which had been gathered to emphasize the importance of increased interprofessional education, knew about TM/CAM, and chiropractic in particular. Having the opportunity to con- nect with these people, to encourage them to think outside of the medical model and to consider the benefits of increased inter- professional collaboration, was the most rewarding experience of the internship. BROADENING AWARENESS OF THE PROFESSION Health policy is very resistant to change; change requires strong support, unity and perseverance. Chiropractors need to focus not only on educating others about chiro- practic, but also on emphasizing the role of chiropractors as health-care profession- als. As health-care practitioners, we con- tribute valuable human resources to health systems and can help to increase access to primary care, thereby reducing the burden of illness on society. We need to focus on the similarities within chiropractic, not the differences, ensuring that we are always providing a clear and consistent message. It’s about maintaining a presence, in contributing to overall health policy – and not just that related to chiropractic – and it’s about sit- ting at the table, as a united profession, to be ready when there is an opportunity for chiropractors to have a voice. We need to show the world that we are dedicated to the WHO’s “Health for All” strategy by supporting relevant initia- tives such as the Tobacco Free Initiative (through the World Federation of Chiro- practic’s Chiropractor’s Against Tobacco program) and the WHO Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health. By maintaining a constant presence at WHO, we will continue to raise awareness for chiropractic and show our dedication to public health and health policy issues. Students are enthusiastic, passionate and energetic, and the profession should con- tinue to support students who are inter- ested in pursuing opportunities such as WHO internships. We need to make sure that we continue to take advantage of op- portunities for chiropractic students and chiropractors to become involved and to make their voices heard. This incredible opportunity would not have been possible without the support of my sponsors. I am a proud graduate of the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC), and was inspired to get more involved in the profession as a result of the passion and energy displayed by my mentors at CMCC. I extend a thank-you to CMCC for its continued support of the profession – specifi cally for supporting me in this unique opportunity to lead the way for future Canadian chiropractic interns and to become the second chiropractic intern at WHO. Additional thanks to the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA), Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA), World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) and World Congress of Chiropractic Stu- dents (WCCS) for their generous support and encouragement. • REFERENCES: WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002-2005. (Woolf, 2003) 1. 2. 26 • CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | JULY/AUGUST 2009 www.canadianchiropractor.ca
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