The Written Word: Rafe Mair January 28th

Sunday, January 28, 2007 03:45 AM

Since I became a consultant to the British Columbia Chiropractors to help them get a faculty at a Degree granting university, I have been amazed at the response, most of which had been unbelievably supportive. In fact I’m a consultant to the Education Committee of the BC Chiropractors not to the Chiropractors organization itself and there’s a reason for this – the issue is an education one. While we know we’ll have to deal with the elephant in the room, the BC Medical Association sometime that will be their choice not ours. We’re not trying to poach on their self proclaimed hallowed turf; we’re trying to advance the education options for young British Columbians.

I must say, in fairness, we have not had any reaction from the BCMA and we hope there’ll not be any for when you think of it, the only turf being threatened by a faculty is that occupied by the chiropractors themselves … for it is they who are trying to set up the means by which more chiropractors can practice. It’s also important that we remember that all patients of chiropractors must pay for the visits out of their own pocket or an insurance policy that they must maintain. This means, obviously, that if patients prefer a chiropractor to a physician he must be prepared leave the Medical Services Plan untouched.

When the subject arises, those opposed to chiropractors always roll out some hoary old story about chiropractors trying to heal cancer with a spinal adjustment. All professions have these stories about them and all professions have a disciplinary adjunct that deals with unprofessional conduct. 4 of the 12 directors of the College are lay persons and 4 are women.

500,000 British Columbians go to a chiropractor each year, including yours truly.

I believe that most British Columbians are fair minded and, whether they attend a chiropractor or not, will support their ambition to let BC young men and women join this profession after getting a university degree in a BC University. In fact, when the opportunity occurs, I hope you will speak out for education which is all I’m trying to do.

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Posted on Sunday, January 28, 2007 03:45 AM in Views by Rafe Mair

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Comments

Posted by: banananuthead on January 28 2007 9:17 AM

Did Rafe get paid for this piece of pro-chiropractor propaganda? Or did Rafe pay to have it published? If the former is true: How responsible is it for an outlet that claims to practice journalism to pay someone to espouse the controversial claims of another employer? If the latter is true: Shouldn't there be a line above it that says "paid for by the chiropractors' association of BC?"

Ethics 101, anyone?

Posted by: Triman on January 28 2007 5:50 PM

I think you got it all wrong, banananuthead. Who would ever think that Rafe Mair would take money to express an opinion about anything.
He is right on the money, however when it comes to chiropractors and the need for more of their services in this country. If only the MA would realize that many of their patients would be much further ahead if the two professions could work together to solve the problem the patient has. I wish the MD's would not be so greedy. That's really what the turf fight is all about.