Federal Leadership for Transforming Canada’s Health Care Key to Competitiveness

Toronto (March 21, 2013) – Canada’s chiropractors want Canadians to get the care they need for back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions. These conditions are the largest burden of illness on the economy in Canada and the second largest source of workplace absenteeism in North America.

The Canadian Chiropractic Association believes that federal leadership and investment are essential to transforming Canada’s health care system. In recent years, the federal government has supported key innovations in health care delivery, and this leadership remains vitally important.

The St. Michael’s Hospital Family Health Team in Toronto demonstrates how different practitioners can work together to develop the most efficient and cost-effective way of delivering quality health care. These innovative models of care produce positive, replicable, long-term benefits for patients and the health care system.

“Including chiropractic referrals in our collaborative practice model appears to be reducing return-visits to the physicians for neck and back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions. We are also seeing the potential for a decrease in emergency department visits for acute back pain and less need for specialist level consults. This type of innovation translates to improved quality of care and significant cost-savings for Canada’s health care system,” says Dr. Deborah Kopansky-Giles, DC, Chiropractic Program Coordinator at St. Michael’s Hospital.

Through transformation, Canada’s health care system can better meet the health needs of Canadians, and provide a stronger foundation for Canada’s competitiveness and long-term prosperity.

“Federal leadership is essential to encouraging innovations that focus health dollars on the most effective outcomes,” says Dr. Jeff Warren, Chair, Canadian Chiropractic Association. “The St. Michael’s chiropractic clinic is a great example of the kinds of innovative work that can be produced and replicated with federal funding – to the benefit of all back pain sufferers.”

About the Canadian Chiropractic Association
The Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA) represents Canada’s 9,000 licensed doctors of chiropractic. The CCA advocates on behalf of members and their patients to advance the quality and accessibility of chiropractic care in Canada, and to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the health care system.

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