InTouch: Association news October 2020 President's message
Dear Colleagues,
Thank you again to all the members who participated in our first virtual AGM, as well as provided their feedback. Based on what members have shared, we were pleased to see attendees were overwhelmingly positive about the event and gave us some valuable information from which we will continue to work to provide worthwhile and valuable events for members.
Last Friday was World Spine Day, a global initiative that the ACAC participates in to help promote spinal health and the chiropractic profession.
Members were highly featured in ACAC activities, from blogs to vlogs, podcast interviews and more. We hope you were able to catch some of the promotional activity and found ways to promote the global initiative in your own clinics and practices. If you’re interested in getting involved with the ACAC for volunteer activities in the future, the Communications team is still looking for early-career chiropractors to get involved in their blogging program.
Council and the ACAC has continued our focused approach on planning and executing government relations activity. As discussed previously, the Minister of Health’s whitepaper released this summer contains 17 proposals on a variety of “legislative amendments to improve the regulatory effectiveness and efficiency of the HPA.” Some of the included proposals are welcome procedural updates, while some are changes that would radically change self-regulation or eliminate it altogether.
The ACAC responded accordingly to the whitepaper consultation. We will closely monitor the fall legislature sitting that resumes on October 20, when legislative proposals related to the whitepaper may be introduced.
We continue to pursue reinstatement of public funding for diagnostic imaging ordered by chiropractors. Many thanks to those of you who participated in the recent survey on this issue. A submission is being prepared using the information collected to articulate the significantly adverse effect of this decision on patient care.
With the increased interest in government relations and how the Association works to advocate for the profession, the ACAC will be hosting a government relations webinar. I urge members to sign up and learn more about the current political atmosphere and current ACAC government relations activities. You can sign up to register in the article below.
With the months turning colder and the pandemic ongoing, I hold steadfast confidence in the commitment of my colleagues and the profession to continue to support the health and wellness of our patients.
Regards, Dr. Brad Kane President
Learn more about government relations and ACAC government advocacy Due to the increase in interest in government relations and what current ACAC advocacy efforts looks like, the ACAC will be hosting a one-hour government relations webinar at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
The session will cover what government relations looks like in a modern context, what the current environment looks like, current ACAC government relations efforts and more. Members are encouraged to consider questions they might have related to government relations as there will be the opportunity to ask these questions during the session.
If you are interested in attending, please reserve your spot below.
Share with us how you engaged with the ACAC’s World Spine Day campaign over the month of October. Members are invited to share how they engaged with the ACAC's World Spine Day campaign. Participating in this ThoughtExchange will help us evaluate our efforts in promoting this global initiative.
The Thoughtexchange closes at 4 p.m. on October 30.
Monthly virtual member meetings launching in November Starting in November, the ACAC will be hosting monthly virtual member meetings. These hour-long meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month until June. Attendees can expect to hear brief updates on ACAC activity and have the opportunity to ask questions of ACAC president Dr. Brad Kane, ACAC CEO Sheila Steger and ACAC registrar Todd Halowski.
You can register below for the meetings in November and December.
Highlighting the role chiropractors play in spinal health for World Spine Day Leading up to World Spine Day on October 16, the ACAC raised awareness about spinal pain and disability and promoted the key role chiropractors play in supporting spinal health. With the theme of “Back on Track,” promotional activities focused on ways to encourage Albertans to return to a healthy balance of activity for their spines.
As with previous years, World Spine Day activities were launched on digital media, as well as on traditional media but new approaches were taken to highlight the expertise of Alberta chiropractors.
Promotion of World Spine Day began with creating a member toolkit that ACAC members were invited to access and use to promote the global initiative in their clinics and on their digital platforms. The kit included a content calendar, social media graphics and copy and links to content like the October Everyday Chiropractic blog, which featured the experience and advice of Dr. Aaron Todd. Alongside engaging graphics and the blog, the ACAC promoted two World Spine Day vlogs, filmed by Drs. Shawn King and Amanda Tulk over social media. Under five minutes each, the vlogs highlight the importance of spinal health and a tip that viewers can do right now to help offset poor posture. Video content is especially appealing for viewers and can be repurposed and shared beyond World Spine Day itself. In partnership with the WPCA, the ACAC arranged for Dr. Nicole Fox to be interviewed about World Spine Day for their podcast, Outside the Wagon. In the 40-minute interview, Dr. Fox speaks to the importance of spinal health, seeing a chiropractor and some of the work she does to support western sports athletes. You can listen to the podcast through the link below and on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. On World Spine Day itself, CTV morning interviews featuring Dr. Chris Green broadcast in Calgary and another spot, featuring Dr. Mailie Harris broadcast in Edmonton. The chiropractors introduced World Spine Day and spoke about the effect the pandemic has had on the spinal health of Albertan's. Dr. Green spoke to the need for healthy activity and how working from home has resulted in poor posture-related injuries. Dr. Harris also spoke of the need for healthy activity and touched on her experience supporting essential and front-line workers–individuals who are finding themselves working under busier and more stressful conditions. Each of these World Spine Day activities provided an invaluable opportunity to bring chiropractic care to the forefront for Albertans looking to take care of the spinal health of themselves and their families. We greatly appreciated the enthusiastic participation of our member volunteers and their efforts to bring awareness to this important cause.
Patient resources available on our social media The ACAC works hard to share relevant and timely information on our Facebook and Twitter. These resources are available for you to share with your patients via your social channels.
With the days getting colder, you'll find topical information on our blog in regards to proper snow shoveling techniques, how chiropractic can help manage arthritis and how to stay active even when the weather makes it difficult.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to ensure you're seeing the latest information we share!
CCGI stakeholder report CCGI has released their bi-annual stakeholder report. Check out the guideline summaries, patient handouts, featured podcasts and more below!
Getting back on track for World Spine Day: tips on safely increasing physical activity after the COVID-19 shutdown When shutdowns began, many Albertans transitioned to working from home or attending classes online.
People no longer had to walk to meetings or navigate hallways in-between classes. On top of these small shifts, bigger restrictions like gyms, rec centres and fitness classes being forced to shut down all equaled a massive reduction in peoples’ activity levels. Now, with pandemic fatigue setting in and people trying to make the most of the end of summer weather, many are returning to activity and experiencing injuries. Alberta-based chiropractor Dr. Aaron Todd discusses the impact lack of activity has had on his patients, and provides four tips to help Albertans safely return to activity.
Council contact
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Do you know who your Council contact is?
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[advertisement] Reminder: media calls
Occasionally journalists reach out to members to request an interview or response to a story. The ACAC is prepared to support members through interviews and advise on how best to handle media inquiries.
If you receive a request, please contact Mikiko Van Horn, Senior Public Relations Coordinator, or call 780.420.0932. |