is known and admired worldwide in the profession. The CCA is acutely aware that the profession is evolving, while the dynamics of health care delivery have altered. The determinates of success for health care professionals have shift-ed and, if chiropractic is serious about attracting bright minds and strong leaders, the profession needs to help open doors for its young members so that they can realize fulfilling and rewarding careers. In this, the CCA shows strong leadership, supporting and developing a framework for evidence-informed practice, creating opportunities in health care research and policy development and building a public health persona for chiropractic so that DCs are trained and recognized not only as spinal experts but also as qualified and active participants in improving population health. It is this brand of leadership that will benefit the profession on a global scale, and Canadians certainly can – and do – take a lead role in bringing this about. Canadian organizations and their leaders are very cognizant of their responsibilities in the world of chiro-practic and are also well positioned to propagate the message that the profession’s growth should be centred on bringing effective and safe patient care, as well as propagating healthy living choices, not only to Canadians but also to people around the world. Finally, in the area of research, Canadian chiropractic scien-tists are uncontested leaders, and it is exciting to see that DCs not only in Canada but internationally are understanding and responding to this leadership. That was clearly seen when there was standing-room only attendance at the research forums at the WFC Congress in Montreal in 2009. An audience of that size and enthusiasm would never have been seen at a chiropractic re-search session even 10 years ago – there just wasn’t the awareness of the importance of research to chiropractic. This awareness is now alive and well across the profession all over the world. CC: What can the profession in Canada learn from chiropractors in other areas of the world? GS: At the WFC’s 12th Biennial Congress recently held in Brazil, a session was held that focused on the question of whether chiropractors should make any use of prescription drugs with their patients. Although a change in the WFC policy against the use of prescription medications was not an objec-tive, one of the significant features of this discussion was that the profession, locally and globally, has reached an assured level of maturity. The WFC was able to engage chiropractors in a discussion that was politically charged but respectful to all points of view– there was no grandstanding but all who were present were engaged. It, once again, spoke highly of strong leadership such as that offered by the WFC, but it also spoke volumes about how the profession can now participate in a so-phisticated, critical-thinking environment. Chiropractic is not threatened by this type of dialogue and ultimately it strength-ens our core values. Another thing we can learn from chiropractors elsewhere is that we in Canada must never be self-righteous. In Canada we come from very humble roots – DCs who went before us and made many sacrifices on behalf of the profession. To this day there are similar pioneers are out there in other countries, tak-ing the road less traveled. We need to be thankful for what we have, and ready to help the pioneers in other countries. We can help in the advancement of the profession globally by participating financially in strategic and supportive work of the WFC as individual members. Doing this through the WFC is the best option. The WFC could not accomplish its mission without the support, especially financial, of the major Canadi-an organizations, first and foremost the Canadian Chiropractic Association. Finally, we can help by working with, and supporting, chiropractic students. Chiropractic students as well should not hesitate to share input and ideas with student leadership groups as well as the WFC. The WFC does much work within chiropractic education but has also partnered with the World Congress of Chiropractic Students (WCCS) in order to learn from students, absorbing and being influenced by their opti-mism regarding growth for a patient-centred profession, and developing a synergy that will result in today’s student leaders becoming the profession’s leaders tomorrow. In conclusion, I stress again that the profession can realize rapid progress and huge results if we have strong leadership and a clear vision in mind. More than ever before, that vision must begin with patient-centred care – there is no other way forward in this era. Without losing its principles and values, chiropractic must be known as science-based, collaborative and mainstream. I have fought many battles over the years, but I have enjoyed the challenges and seen many successes when we have the right people all pulling the rope in the same direction. And, increas-ingly, I have seen that Canadians can and must be leaders in the profession internationally. • www.canadianchiropractor.ca 10 • Canadian ChiropraCtor | JULY/aUGUSt 2011
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