August 2021 Newsletter

Message from the President 

Welcome to the winter issue of our newsletter. It is pleasing to note that the vast majority of NSW chiropractors are continuing to support, and comply with, the health directives released by the respective health authorities in relation to mitigating the risk of spreading COVID 19. We live in challenging times and, as registered health practitioners, have a very important responsibility to promote the health of the community and keep the public safe. I take the opportunity to congratulate the many chiropractors that have introduced infection control protocols in their clinics and, when asked to provide advice that is beyond their usual area of practice, referred patients to another practitioner or health authority who possess such expertise.

I would also like to provide an update on the membership of the Council. On behalf of the Council, I would like to welcome the appointment of Dr Inger Villadsen as Practitioner Member to the Council. Inger graduated as a chiropractor from the Anglo European College of Chiropractic in 1985 and commenced private practice in Australia in 1988. Her academic pursuits are also noteworthy with her being awarded a M.Sc. (Clinical Epidemiology) from Newcastle University and a Postgraduate Diploma (Neuromusculoskeletal Rehabilitation) from Murdoch University.

The Council also acknowledges the significant contribution to public protection and the work of the Council made by outgoing member Dr Larry Whitman. Larry was a member of the Council for nine years and his presence at meetings will be missed. We extend our very best wishes to Dr Whitman for the future. 

In this issue of our newsletter, in addition to a case study on boundary violations, we look at some recent social media issues as well as what we can do to uphold our professional obligations by speaking up about disrespectful behaviour and unprofessional conduct in healthcare.

Wayne Minter AM

President, Chiropractic Council of NSW

Social Media (mistakes)

The Chiropractic Council of NSW continually strives for continuity of public health and safety through various actions including the manner in which chiropractors adhere to public health guidelines.

In recent times there have been a number of complaints from the public that relate to health professionals making certain comments on what was supposedly private social pages, which include platforms such as Facebook.

For example, complaints to the Council have referred to certain health professionals posting links to conspiracy theorists’ websites, anti vaccination groups, radical religious groups’ comments, news sites of 5G activists, COVID-19 misinformation and other comments that could be viewed as alarmist and contravene the Chiropractic Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct and Social Media Guidelines.

Use of D.C. by chiropractors who do not hold a D.C. degree

There has been a recent trend, particularly in social media, of chiropractors who completed an Australian chiropractic qualification using the post nominals D.C.. Often the chiropractor using this will also use the courtesy title Dr but fail to qualify that title with ‘Chiropractor’ after their name. Perhaps these chiropractors think that using D.C. is adequate. It is not adequate.

Case study: conduct

Boundary Violations – overstepping the mark

Complaint received about a 52-year-old male chiropractor.

The complainant, a female aged 25, attended the chiropractor for the first time for treatment for lower back pain and alleged that, during the treatment, the chiropractor touched her buttocks without consent. She also expressed concerns that, while lying on her back, he moved her legs in a way that exposed her underwear underneath her skirt. The complainant further alleged that the chiropractor did not call her by her name but referred to her as 'love'. He also offered her a discounted rate for the next three appointments to treat her back pain.

No place for sexism, sexual harassment or violence in healthcare

Recently, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and the National Boards published a joint statement, No place for sexism, sexual harassment or violence in healthcare to remind practitioners of their professional obligations and encourage speaking up about disrespectful behaviour and unprofessional conduct in healthcare.

The Chiropractic Council of NSW endorses this statement, sharing the view that respect is a cornerstone of good, professional practice and it is fundamental to the Australian community’s trust in registered health practitioners. The Council strongly holds the position that there is no place for sexism, sexual harassment or gendered violence in healthcare.

The Council’s expectations of registered health practitioner conduct and respectful, professional behaviour, including maintaining appropriate professional boundaries, are set out in the Chiropractic Board of Australia Code of Conduct.

The Council is in full agreement with the Board that practitioners must always treat patients, consumers, students, employees and colleagues with respect. The Council also agrees that practitioners must at all times communicate professionally and respectfully with and about others, including when using social media. 

The Ahpra and National Boards joint statement is available here for your information.