editor’s note May 2010, VoluMe 15 NuMber 3 Editor Maria DiDanieli [email protected] (289) 259-1408 • (888) 599-2228 ext. 247 Maria DiDanieli W hat do patients feel or think when they walk into your office, espe- cially when they see it for the first time? If there’s one thing that can be learned through heightening one’s awareness of environmental issues, it’s that our surroundings have a bear- ing on our physical, mental and spiritual well-being. I am not only referring to vehicle emissions, accumulation of non-biodegradable refuse, chemicals in our drinking water or the depletion of entire species of animals. Of course, these things warrant everyone’s attention but I would like to consider, for a moment, how our man-made surroundings, namely the spaces we live in, work in, or just visit, impact our physical state, moods, productivity, and even the ability to heal. This point is very significant for health-care practitioners who establish clinics to which patients come for care. A practice setting can instil (or resur- rect) either a feeling of calm and a determination to improve, or a gripping fear and sense of despair that could block a patient’s openness to the process of getting better. And, what of the clinic staff? Does the office offer a pleasant, comfortable and practical work space, or does everyone bolt out into open air and sunshine at the end of the day? Numerous studies have been published on this topic – some come from actual university-based health-care design research units. One, in particular, caught my eye. In 2004, the British Journal of General Practice published a pa- per by Jacques Mizan who points out that the “built environment” of a clinic can contain elements that are stressors, can lack space for family support, can make the patient feel like he/she has no control over what happens to them, and can reinforce the perceived “power imbalance” between the doctor and the patient. In short, poor practice design brings about negative physi- cal and behavioural consequences in patients. The term for the effects that design can have on people is “architectural determinism.” In his article, Mizan gives health-care practice design and decorating tips that have been shown to foster patient confidence and satisfaction, more equitable interactions and, ultimately, better clinical outcomes. Mizan also points out the benefits of a well-designed practice to the people who have to work there, day after day. In this, our Wellness and Nutrition issue, we will address patient-centred clinic design by profiling a chiropractic practice environment that has been carefully created to be a therapeutic expression of mindful care, overall well- ness and community responsibility. While we’re at it, we discuss owning the real estate for your chiropractic practice. From there, we move on to a vari- ety of topics, including a look at Omega-3 EFAs for pain relief, a review of spinal decompression that emphasizes the need for a thorough consultation and exam aimed at selecting and deselecting patients for various therapies, a discussion of how chiropractic can impact the patient safety dialogue currently stirring in health care, and much more. Remember to visit www.canadianchiropractor.ca for news updates, event listings, web exclusives and to subscribe to our e-newsletters! E-newsletters are free and paperless – two features that can contribute to a stress-reduced and healthy environment for all of us! Bien à vous, 6 • CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | MAY 2010 Associate Publisher Christine Livingstone [email protected] (519) 429-5173 • (888) 599-2228 ext. 239 Sales Assistant Pauline O’Neill [email protected] (519) 429-5183 • (888) 599-2228 ext. 219 Production Artist Krista Misener Group Publisher Martin McAnulty [email protected] President Mike Fredericks [email protected] Mailing Address P.O. Box 530, 105 Donly Drive South, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT., P.O. BOX 530, SIMCOE, ON N3Y 4N5 e-mail: [email protected] Canadian Chiropractor is published eight times a year: February, April, May, June, July/August, September, October and December. Published and printed by Annex Publishing & Printing Inc., 105 Donly Drive South, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5 Printed in Canada ISSN 1488-6952 Circulation e-mail: [email protected] Tel: (866) 790-6070 ext. 207 Fax: (877) 624-1940 Mail: P.O. Box 530, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5 Subscription Rates Canada – 1 Year $29.68 (includes GST - #867172652RT0001) USA – 1 Year $34.95 (US Funds) Foreign – 1 Year $50.00 (US Funds) From time to time, we at Canadian Chiropractor make our subscription list available to reputable companies and organizations whose products and services we believe may be of interest to you. If you do not want your name to be made available, contact our circulation department in any of the four ways listed above. No part of the editorial content of this publication may be reprinted without the publisher’s written permission. ©2010 Annex Publishing & Printing Inc. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher. No liability is assumed for errors or omissions. All advertising is subject to the publisher’s approval. Such approval does not imply any endorsement of the products or services advertised. 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Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor May 2010: Page 6
