Musculoskeletal Health Network (WA) Forum

The Musculoskeletal (MS) Health Network Forum on 13 September 2011, funded by the Department of Health, was a success beyond expectations. There were around 120 delegates, including 6 chiropractors. Policy-makers, clinicians, researchers and consumers from a abroad set of disciplines and institutions were present, and were entertained by some high-profile key-note speakers, such a the WA Chief Medical Officer, Dr Simon Towler. The forum also included workshops where the views of stakeholders were collected related to the priorities and drivers for MS care services for the future. Particularly for Spinal Care/Pain, some research themes and priority areas will emerge from the forum workshops.

The outcome of the forum will be a database of people from different disciplines who have similar interests, with a view to support collaborative work. A set of research priorities for Spinal Care/Pain will also be available that will hopefully inform research agendas, based on the need for relevant research that will benefit consumers and inform health policy.

Chiropractic also received attention at the forum and it has demonstrated the willingness for field practitioners, the professional bodies and academics from the chiropractic profession to get involved and participate in healthcare events. Dr Bruce Walker presented one of only 6 research papers selected for the forum, while Dr Jeff Hebert and Dr Gregory Parkin-Smith had posters showcasing chiropractic research.

Indeed, there has been an interest by key, influential persons within the MS Health Network to explore the possible role of chiropractic in MS Health and the case-mix seen by chiropractors, with a view to identify opportunities for chiropractors in the broader healthcare system in WA. In this regard, Dr Lyndon Woods and Dr Gregory Parkin-Smith will be taking the matter further to explore possibilities.