OCA Advocacy Case Study : PCLBP
The account of how the Primary Care Low Back Pain Pilot ( PCLBP ) program came into existence is a testament to the OCA advocacy strategy and the association ’ s ability to pivot into the right position at the right stage of the game .
In 2011 , the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care funded demonstration projects to identify ways to improve primary care collaboration . The OCA ’ s proposal to develop and evaluate chiropractors ’ role in primary care was approved . The Consulting Chiropractor Role Demonstration Project in Primary Care provided the Ministry with information on the benefits of chiropractic and potential system outcomes . This served as an important foundation for the Ministry ’ s PCLBP pilots , which were announced in the fall of 2013 . Over 100 primary care interprofessional teams submitted proposals to run pilots , many of which included chiropractors . In November of 2014 , seven PCLBP pilot sites were announced . Six of the seven rely heavily on a collaborative approach between chiropractors and other practitioners on the primary care team .
In 2015 , the OCA and the chiropractors involved in the PCLBP pilot sites influenced the renewal of the pilot program . After several years of one year funding renewals , the pilot funding has now been incorporated into base funding for the seven sites .
In 2018 , the OCA , PCLBP chiropractors and PCLBP site administrators advocated for the pilot program to be expanded to broader MSK , and a full provincial rollout of the program . Several meetings were held with government officials to discuss the proposal , and presentations to the budget committee took place .
Update :
The Province is investing $ 102 million over three years to support the expansion of interprofessional primary care teams , focusing on areas that have the greatest need , so that people living in all regions of the province have access to team-based primary care . This investment will result in 19 new or expanded teams that will recruit nearly 100 new health professionals such as chiropractors , nurse practitioners , registered nurses , social workers , psychologists , physiotherapists and pharmacists to provide direct primary care services to patients who can benefit most from team-based primary care . Our hope is that a portion of this funding will be used to expand the PCLBP program and other interprofessional care models that include chiropractors . This will demonstrate that we have shaped policy .
We ’ re Gaining Momentum
As we become a leader in health care , it won ’ t be without the support and guidance of individual chiropractors . By working together we can influence and change the system . As evident in the new opportunities we are currently seeing for the chiropractic profession – we are gaining momentum .
Moving forward , our mission is to become leaders in Ontario ’ s health care system and enhance the profession ’ s public profile and credibility , at all levels .
Systematic reforms are calling for a more collaborative approach to care such as the Patients First Act 2016 and the 2017 Canadian Guidelines for Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain . Encouragingly , there are signs of political and bureaucratic support of the profession . For instance , positive outcomes have been reported from ISAEC and the PCLBP pilot program . The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care granted chiropractors the authority to order select lab tests and diagnostic ultrasound . Additionally , we have members sitting on several HQO Quality Standards committees , where they express the importance of chiropractic care in relation to opioid mitigation , back pain care , osteoarthritis care and more .
As we continue to gain momentum , we encourage you to get involved ! If you are interested in new opportunities , you can reach out to your local Family Health Team or Community Health Centre to discuss MSK programming . You can volunteer at tradeshows to discuss the value of collaboration and apply to participate in your LHINs standing committee . Contact the OCA , as we can point you in the right direction and help you facilitate new relationships and opportunities . Together we can all thrive – because that seat at the table , we earned it !
REFERENCE ( PG 18 )
1 . MacKay , C ., Canizares , M ., Davis , A . and Badley , E . ( 2010 ). Health care utilization for musculoskeletal disorders . Arthritis Care & Research , 62 ( 2 ), 161-169 .
2 . Barua , B ., & Fathers , F . ( 2014 ). Waiting your turn : Wait times for health care in Canada , 2014 report . Fraser Institute
3 . Busse , J ., Riva , J ., Nash , J ., Hsu , S ., Fisher , C ., Wai , E ., Brunarski , D ., Drew , B ., Quon J ., Walter , S ., Bishop , P ., & Rampersaud , R . ( 2013 ). Surgeon attitudes toward nonphysician screening of low back or low back – related leg pain patients referred for surgical assessment . Spine , 38 ( 7 ), E402-E408
If you are interested in new opportunities , you can reach out to your local Family Health Team or Community Health Centre to discuss MSK programming . You can volunteer at tradeshows to discuss the value of collaboration and apply to participate in your LHINs standing committee .
20 SPRING 2018