Position papers developed by the World Chiropractic Alliance are
statements of our stands on various issues. But they are more than that.
They are valuable tools that you can use to help defend yourself
against unjust board complaints, provide evidence in malpractice cases, or
as patient and public education materials.
Frequently, D.C.s are called upon to "prove" that their
actions or statements are safe or "acceptable."
The following are some examples of such situations:
*** You have been accused of malpractice because you didn't
"diagnose" a patient's diabetes or cancer. You have to show, in
a court of law, that focusing solely on the detection and correction of
vertebral subluxations meets professional standards and that doctors of
chiropractic cannot legally or ethically be held responsible for medical
diagnoses.
*** Your state board begins an investigation based on the fact that you
provide care for patients without specific symptoms. (Note: New York State
recently censured a Bellport, NY chiropractor, noting that its decision
was "based upon a more serious view of the totality of the
professional misconduct committed by respondent, including but not limited
to his attempts to treat symptomless persons, which is misconduct which
goes to the heart of the profession..."
*** The local newspaper prints an article implying that chiropractic is
linked to strokes -- and never mentions the numerous studies showing
chiropractic is far safer than medical treatment!
*** Your insurance claim is denied because of an IME who relied on
information taken from the Mercy document. Now, you have to show them that
Mercy isn't a viable measure of chiropractic standards.
*** Despite overwhelming resistance from D.C.s in your state, a small
contingent of powerful doctors tries to pass a scope of practice law that
includes prescribing or dispensing drugs. You need to convince state
legislators to vote against the bill.
In each of these cases -- and many more -- it is important that you
have "ammunition" to support your argument. That's where the
World Chiropractic Alliance Position Papers come in.
Armed with a copy of the official position of a major chiropractic
organization, you will have greater impact and influence on a judge, jury,
board, news reporter, patient, insurance adjustor or lawmaker. You will,
in essence, have the World Chiropractic Alliance standing beside you.
All WCA Position Papers are posted online in their entirety (go to
www.worldchiropracticalliance.org and click on the link to POSITION
PAPERS). They can be downloaded or printed directly from the website and
used whenever and wherever needed.
When using the position papers, it's helpful to explain that the World
Chiropractic Alliance is an international chiropractic organization,
publisher of The Chiropractic Journal, and Journal of Vertebral
Subluxation Research, and an NGO (Non- Governmental Organization)
recognized by the United Nations Department of Public Information.
The WCA Position Papers take strong, outspoken stands on important
issues -- and are another way that the World Chiropractic Alliance works
to protect chiropractic.
