Executive Director’s Report

John Jannese

This issue of COCA News marks the anniversary of my third year as Executive Director of the College. I would like to take this opportunity to say that it has been my pleasure to serve the COCA Executive and members during this period.

A year ago, I wrote of COCA’s achievements and detailed the professional issues the College dealt with during the year. In a similar vein, I thought readers might also like to know what happened throughout 2004/05.

COCA comments upon professional issues
As a stakeholder organisation in the professions of chiropractic and osteopathy, the College is often asked for its opinion or input pertaining to professional issues impacting upon the professions.

During the year COCA made submissions to:

• Victorian Chiropractic Registration Board
  • Contracts of Care
  • Advertising Guidelines
• Queensland Chiropractic Registration Board
  • Recency of Practice
• Tasmanian Chiropractic & Osteopathic Registration Board
  • Code of Professional Conduct & Practice
• Queensland Government
  • Health Practitioners (Professional Standards) Act 1999
  • Public Health Bill 2005

Generally, throughout the year COCA made contact with every state chiropractic and osteopathic registration board, regarding issues of interest to the professions.

New COCA member services & endorsed products

• Explore Planet Earth (EPE) - spinal articulation series of backpacks
• Therapod - adjustable back support seating system

Members are no doubt aware that any monies received from these endorsement and marketing activities are indirectly returned to you, as COCA is a not-for-profit organisation.

Other COCA achievements and initiatives launched during 2004/05

• COCA Practice Accreditation program, was developed to benefit health care management in Australia and the professions of chiropractic and osteopathy, now and into the future.
• Chiropractic & Osteopathy, is COCA’s new open access internet journal providing a forum for chiropractors, osteopaths, researchers and clinicians to publish scientific and clinically relevant articles and informative reviews, thus adding to and advancing the body of research and scientific knowledge for the professions.
• Certified Practicing Member (CPM), was introduced as COCA’s highest level of membership. CPM’s are able to demonstrate their commitment to life-long learning and world’s best practice in their day to day tasks as a clinician. The professions and the public will now be able to recognise the dedication and skills inherent in this personal achievement.

Finally, this year COCA is compiling its first annual 2005-06 membership directory. Whilst the directory will be a benefit of your COCA membership, it will also serve members in a practical sense, insofar as it will enable you to network with other health care professionals in chiropractic and osteopathy, holding similar ethos and values.