Chiropractic in Canada is becoming increasingly popular, both as a career choice and as an integral part of every Canadian’s healthcare team. Chiropractic utilization rates between 1980 and 2015 have increased in Canada from 10%-11.7% and 7.2% to 10.7% in the US.[1]. Enrolment in Chiropractic educational institutions has also been increasing and has resulted in more availability of Chiropractors all over North America.
The Chiropractic profession requires a wide range of qualities, and this makes the profession so attractive to many. These qualities are representative of the Chiropractic professions’ values presented by the Canadian Chiropractic Association, which include:
Focus
Innovation
Leadership
Courage
Integrity
Teamwork
Determination
Excellence
Foresight
Forbes Magazine rated Chiropractic in the top 10 best jobs in health care, using a criterion based on the work environment, stress level, and physical demand. It is a combination of all these qualities that contributes to the high level of global job satisfaction reported by DCs [3]. Between 1995 and 2004, the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) has increased the number of graduates by 14.8% (from 135 to 155 per year) [2]. Increasing trends of inter-professional care have also been noticed in Canada [4]. The incorporation of a multi-disciplinary approach to care has opened up many windows of opportunity to increase demand for Chiropractors and improve patient outcomes!
We can look at the stats and articles, but the best way to understand the passion behind Canada’s chiropractors is to ask them! So here is what some of our CCA members had to say about why they entered the field:
“I became a Chiropractor because of my direct experience with one. I hurt my back in University and got referred to a Chiropractor by an MD. From the moment I walked in, I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do. I appreciated the time he spent explaining to me what was going on, how he was going to help me, how comfortable he made me feel and how he truly helped my pain”
Julie Ly
“I wanted to help people without pushing prescription medications when they aren’t necessary. I don’t have to sit at a desk all day, I get to work with my hands, meet new people every day, I am involved with the community, I am a business owner, and most importantly, I get to live the lifestyle I want!”
Evraj Dhaliwal
“I decided to become a Chiropractor at the age of 12. My family would say “this one is good with her hands” when I would give them back massages. One night in CBC’s “The Journal”, there was a segment on the top 10 careers in Canada, and Chiropractor was one of them. I had never been to a Chiropractor but Dr. Ron Giesbrecht was a great mentor to me”
Jennifer Forbes
“Anecdotally, from talking to Chiropractors over the years, often positive patient experience was the catalyst to becoming a Chiropractor and the desire to help people”
Frances LeBlanc
“I was about 11, my mom finished her day in the ER as an RN (registered nurse) and asked me to rub her shoulders. She mentioned that I was doing a good job and had a knack for findings knots and applying the right pressure. She told me I should consider being a Chiropractor. I shadowed a DC during my high school co-op class and the rest is history”
Marc Bronson
“As an athlete and dancer growing up, I experience my fair share of injuries. My first line of defense: my Chiropractor. I fractured my tibia in grade 7 and began my rehab with my Chiropractor immediately once the cast came off. I was in awe with the incredible rapid improvements, which allowed me to perform on a dance trip in Europe soon after. I knew at that time that I wanted to do the same for others; help them get back to their daily routines.”
CMCC intern Christine Rad
Rest assured, if you are experiencing pain, recovering from an injury, or have any other reason to see a Chiropractor, you will be in caring hands.
Credit: Canadian Chiropractic Association
References:
1. Beliveau PJ, Wong JJ, Sutton DA, Simon NB, Bussières AE, Mior SA, French SD. The chiropractic profession: a scoping review of utilization rates, reasons for seeking care, patient profiles, and care provided. Chiropractic & manual therapies. 2017 Dec;25(1):35.
2. Health Personnel Trends in Canada. Canadian Institute for Health Information. 1995 to 2004 (Revised 2006)
3. Hutchison B, LEVESQUE JF, Strumpf E, Coyle N. Primary health care in Canada: systems in motion. The Milbank Quarterly. 2011 Jun 1;89(2):256-88.
4. Konrad TR, Fletcher GS, Carey TS. Interprofessional collaboration and job satisfaction of chiropractic physicians. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics. 2004 May 1;27(4):245-52.
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