Exciting News for Chiropractic in Ontario

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  Chiropractic Scope Expanding to Include Lab Tests and Diagnostic Ultrasound The OCA is very pleased to announce some exciting news for chiropractic in Ontario! The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) sent the OCA and the College of Chiropractors of Ontario a letter today stating it is moving forward with granting chiropractors the authority to order select lab tests and diagnostic ultrasound. By expanding chiropractors’ ability to practice closer to their full scope of practice including the use of these valuable diagnostic tools, the MOHLTC has recognized that chiropractors play a critical role in improving the care and health outcomes of Ontarians. This move is consistent with the support of integrating chiropractors into the health care system including removing the policy barrier to chiropractors practicing in primary care inter-professional teams, the Inter-professional Spine Assessment and Education Clinics, and Primary Care Low Back Pain pilots. It represents part of the government’s comprehensive approach to increasing access to care, reducing wait times, and improving patient experience. The OCA, the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC), and the College of Chiropractors of Ontario (CCO) have worked both collectively and individually on these goals for many years. We want to acknowledge the fine work of CCO in their role of regulating the profession in the public interest. CMCC has also been invaluable in identifying and providing the evidence-based rationale for specific lab tests and chiropractic educational training and competencies. This is also the result of the excellent care that individual chiropractors provide to their patients, and the role many chiropractors play in advancing the profession. This significant gain is the result of over eight years of intensive advocacy work. The OCA looks forward to working with the government on each of these scope enhancements. The announcement does not discuss the funding of these services. We are working closely with the Ministry to determine the exact details and we will share these with you as we move forward. Enacting these changes will require regulation and other changes and the authority is not yet in place. Learn More about Chiropractors’ Expanded Authority Hospital X-ray Access In 2004, an unintended consequence of delisting OHIP services was that chiropractors lost the ability to order X-rays in public hospitals. The government moved quickly and in 2005 amended the regulations under the Independent Health Facilities Act so chiropractors could order OHIP-funded X-rays through an independent health facility (IHF). Unfortunately, not all areas of the province have local IHFs. We are actively engaged in consultations with the Ministry on options for expanding access to chiropractic ordering of hospital X-rays in specified communities across Ontario.
   
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