Code of Conduct

Article 1 - Duties of Chiropractor to an Athlete

1. The chiropractor recognizes the multidisciplinary needs of the athlete and collaborates with other health care practitioners to benefit the athlete.

2. The chiropractors considered to be the expert at utilizing spinal and peripheral joint adjustments, manipulation, and mobilization to restore normal joint function and enhance neuromuscular tone. Joint manipulation as a tool for performance enhancement should be used on athletes immediately prior to events only if the chiropractor is familiar with the athlete and has worked with the athlete prior to the event. Exceptions would be if the athlete provides information from his or her treating chiropractor, the athlete has had previous pre-event manipulation or if after careful evaluation the chiropractor in his or her clinical opinion feels that treatment would be indicated. If available consultation with the chef de mission or other members of the support or health care team be necessary.

3. The chiropractor will recognize the responsibility render health services to any athlete regardless of race, religion, or political belief.

4. The chiropractor will recognize the limitations of his or her expertise, and when indicated, will recommend to an athlete that additional options and services be obtained.

5. The chiropractor will respect an athlete's right to accept or decline care.

6. The right of an athlete to select professional health care, separate or complimentary to chiropractic care shall be recognized.

7. An athlete, having been accepted, should never be abandoned without due regard for the athlete's welfare. Sufficient notice of withdrawal should be given to permit the athlete to secure another practitioner.

8. The chiropractor should neither exaggerate nor minimize the gravity of an athlete's condition. The chiropractor should assure that the athlete, or those persons responsible for the athlete, have knowledge of the athlete's condition so the best interests of the athlete may be served.

Article 2 - Duties of the Chiropractor to the Profession

Personal and Professional Conduct

1. The chiropractor shall report, without fear or favour, unethical conduct or incompetence, for any reason, on the part of a member of the profession or may assist an athlete to report such matters to those in authority.

2. The chiropractor is aware that sporting events and treatment of elite athletes at times provides opportunity for political posturing or self promotion. The chiropractor understands that there is no room for this kind of intent at sporting events. Chiropractors like all other members of the sports medicine community are there in the role of serving and caring for the athlete.

3. The conduct of the chiropractor at all times should merit the respect of the public for the profession.

4. The professional reputation of the chiropractor shall be protected by avoiding all situations which could lead to a conflict of interest.

5. Self-discipline for the profession is a privilege to be recognized along with the responsibility to protect that privilege.

Consultation and Examination

1. Confidential information derived from an athlete, or any other source, may be divulged only with the consent of the athlete, except to safeguard society or when required by law.

2. The chiropractor will respect the privacy of the athlete.

3. The chiropractor will recommend only those diagnostic procedures deemed necessary to assist in the care of the athlete.

4. Professional responsibility will be recognized in advising the athlete of findings and recommendations.

5. No guarantee of a cure, either by statement or implication, will be given, and an estimate only as to the length of time or number of visits required by a given condition will be offered.

Consultation

1. A chiropractor shall request the opinion of an appropriate chiropractor or health practitioner acceptable to the athlete when diagnosis or treatment is difficult or obscure, or when the athlete requests it. Having requested the opinion, the chiropractor may make available any relevant information and will clearly indicate whether the colleague is to assume the continuing care of the athlete.

2. The chiropractor shall, when an opinion has been requested by a colleague, report in detail, findings and recommendations to the attending chiropractor or health practitioner, and may outline the opinion to the athlete. Care of the athlete will be continued only at the specific request of the attending chiropractor or health practitioner, and with the consent of the athlete.

Care of the Athlete

1. A chiropractor shall co-operate with those individuals who, in the chiropractor, may assist in the most appropriate care of that athlete.

2. A chiropractor will strive to improve the standards of chiropractic services and health care in the community.

Article 3 - Duties of a Chiropractor to Society

1. The chiropractor will accept full share of the chiropractic profession's responsibility to society in matters relating to spinal and public health, health education, and legislation affecting the health or well being of the citizens of the community.

2. In the interest of providing good and competent chiropractic care, he or she will support the opportunity of colleagues to obtain recognition and health privileges in the community appropriate to their personal and professional qualifications

Guidelines for Chiropractors at Athletic Events

The R.C.C.S.S.(C) is a specialty college chartered by the Canadian Chiropractic Association (C.C.A.) to oversee chiropractic sports sciences in Canada. The Guidelines are in addition to those established by the C.C.A. ("Practice Guidelines for Chiropractors in Canada")

The R.C.C.S.S.(C) is an educational and coordinating organization, providing post graduate training in the specialty of sports and rehabilitation. Successful participants graduate with specialized training and, ultimately, may after full completion sit for Fellowship examination, and upon fulfillment of requirements be afforded the title of "Fellow of the College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences" and use the designation F.C.C.S.S.(C).

All chiropractors are qualified primary care providers by their training and all are governed by the various provincial licensing and self regulatory bodies

Guidelines

1. Chiropractors should be aware of and adhere to the pre-established protocols for the medical team of a
particular athletic event.

2. All chiropractors at sporting events will conduct themselves in a professional manner. Chiropractors should be seen as equal team members within their scope of practice and expertise. Further, chiropractors, like members of the team are expected to follow the authority and direction of the "charge person" appointed by the appropriate authority prior to any event.

3. Chiropractors by their training are recognized to have the expertise to effectively fill the roll of "charge person" and event management.

4. Chiropractors are expected to provide input during group discussions regarding necessary care of a particular athlete or team.

5. Chiropractors are recognized as expert providers of spinal and peripheral joint manipulation and adjustments, and may also utilize a variety of supportive and complimentary therapeutic modalities aimed at restoring normal mechanical function, enhancing neuromuscular input, facilitating proprioceptive function and decreasing compensatory joint pathophysiology. Chiropractors also provide athlete evaluation and instructions regarding athletic conditioning, injury prevention and health promotion through proper nutrition, exercise and lifestyle modification. The range of diagnostic and therapeutic services offered by chiropractic is dynamic and will be modified by education, research, technological change and the athlete's evolving health care needs.

6. The provision of on-site acute care of athletic injures by a member of the R.C.C.S.S.(C) may include: injury assessment and diagnosis, basic emergency life support, provision of first aid, securing appropriate care from other team members and transportation to an emergency facility.

7. The chiropractor, in cooperation with all performance enhancement personnel and members of the health care delivery team, is an integral part of a total service to maximize the performance and welfare of the athlete.