President's Report

Peter Werth
Final plans for our 5th Biennial Conference to be held in Sydney on 17th to 19th October 2003 are currently being put in place.

The conference promises to be an exceptional week-end where you can hear two of the leading researchers and best minds in chiropractic present some of their latest work. Drs John Triano and Marion McGregor have been at the leading edge of chiropractic research for two decades.

Dr Triano is also well recognised in the broader spine community as a leader of the profession. He currently holds the position of Co-Director of Conservative Medicine and Director for the Chiropractic Division at the Texas Back Institute, a multidisciplinary spine facility. He is also on the editorial board of many eminent spine-related publications. Dr Triano has been involved in research addressing the clinical efficacy of spinal manipulation, as well as determining how to improve the effectiveness of its use.

Dr Marion McGregor is acknowledged as a leader in the field, and has been a prolific author on topics relating to spine care and in particular, complications relating to spinal manipulation. She holds positions as Associate Professor at the Texas Chiropractic College, Research Associate at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and is a private consultant in research design and biostatistics for various clinical research projects. Dr McGregor also has an interest in inter-professional relationships, and will address this topic during one of her presentation.

Given the recent interest shown in managing paediatric patients, it is somewhat fortuitous that Dr Randy Ferrence is speaking at the conference and presenting a paediatric workshop on the Friday prior to the conference. Dr Ferrence is uniquely qualified, being trained as both a chiropractor as well as a medical practitioner, with specialist training in paediatrics and internal medicine. His one day workshop will cover a diverse range of topics including a recently included section in the Office Emergencies presentation addressing Recognition of Child Abuse and Neglect. In this, Dr Ferrenace states; “As healthcare professionals dealing with children, we chiropractors and osteopaths are, by law, mandated reporters of suspected child abuse and neglect. Recognizing the subtle signs of these can be challenging, but the part you play in a child’s life as a result may, literally, be life saving”.

Dr Ferrance’s views on many issues relating to both the general practice of chiropractic and osteopathy, as well as treating children will be most enlightening, and in conjunction with Drs Triano and McGregor you will come away from the conference with considerable clinically relevant material to apply to your day-to-day practice.

In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to the social functions associated with the conference. These include a cocktail party on Friday night at the Avillion Hotel and on Saturday night a sensational cruise on Sydney Harbour aboard HMAV Bounty. This promises to be a spectacular night, as well as a great chance to catch up with friends and colleagues.

The conference promises to be a fantastic educational event as well as offering a great social program. I look forward seeing you there.