2023 Thrive Conference | Back to Basics

Saturday, December 9, 2023 | Niagara Falls Convention Centre | Niagara Falls, Ontario

Our OCA Advance premier continuing education (CE) event Thrive is returning in December 2023. Join us for customized CE workshops to advance your practice and the profession.

On December 9, 2023, our annual, one-day conference will return this time to Niagara Falls Convention Centre with morning and afternoon interactive workshops to help advance your clinical knowledge, enhance patient outcomes, and improve your business strategy. Join us for a day of learning, knowledge-sharing, and networking.
Our theme for this year is Back to Basics: Join us in reviewing the mechanics of chiropractic care, and basics of patient safety, diagnostics, and more related to our profession.

Agenda

Our goal is to provide a dynamic and interactive learning experience for all attendees. The conference will feature morning and afternoon three-hour workshops.
Morning session
The morning session will kick off at 9 a.m. and run until 12 p.m. During this time, we offer three concurrent workshops for you to choose from. Each workshop is three hours long and covers a different topic, selected to cater to a diverse set of interests and needs.
A keynote speaker address and free lunch will conclude the morning session, followed by the OCA Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Workshops:

Presenter: Dr. Varsha Kumar, BSc.(Hons), DC, DACBR, FCCR(C)
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Format: 100 person capacity (classroom-style workshop)

Description: Explore various clinical imaging cases of the cervical and lumber spine practising chiropractors often encounter. The objective of this session is to evaluate diagnostic images consisting of spinal pathology with concise review of the conditions presented. Common imaging pitfalls will be identified, and clinical considerations will be explored for diagnostic and treatment considerations.

Presenter bio: Dr. Varsha Kumar is a chiropractic radiologist who completed her chiropractic degree from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) and radiology residency at the Southern California University of Health Sciences. She is currently the Chair of Diagnostic Imaging in the undergraduate studies division, and the program coordinator of Diagnostic Imaging Residency in graduate studies at CMCC. In addition to training chiropractic students in radiology, Dr. Kumar also acts as a resource clinical radiologist, interacting and discussing cases with interns and clinicians on patients’ diagnostic images.

Presenter: Dr. Glen Harris – Chiropractic Sports Specialist, BSc(Kin), DC, FRCCSS(C)
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Format: 50 person capacity (hands-on workshop)

Description: Return to the basics of the clinical encounter. This session will review how to use the health history interview, establish patient expectations and goals, and share decision-making in the report findings onto the delivery of the care plan. The importance of rapport and therapeutic alliance will be discussed with a focus on patient education, manual therapies and exercise prescription. This will be presented first in a didactic format, followed by a practical element, as we assess and manage a patient with lower back pain, with and without leg symptoms. The objectives of this workshop are to revisit a thought process with new considerations as we manage these clinical presentations.

Presenter bio: Dr. Glen Harris is a chiropractic sports specialist, assistant professor/clinician at Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC), chiropractor at Schroeder Pain Assessment and Rehabilitation Research Centre (SPARC) at the University Health Network (UHN), private practice in Toronto, and founder of MSK+, a clinical and education service provider. His focus is on diagnosis and patient management, using three main elements: Patient education, manual therapies, and exercise/clinical conditioning.

Presenter: Dr. Katherine A. Pohlman DC, MS, PhD, Director of Research/Professor at Parker University
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Format: 100 person capacity (classroom-style workshop)

Description: The Hippocratic Oath – “First, Do No Harm” – is the heart of patient safety. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines patient safety as: “A framework of organized activities that creates cultures, processes, procedures, behaviors, technologies and environments in health care that consistently and sustainably lower risks, reduce the occurrence of avoidable harm, make errors less likely and reduce the impact of harm when it does occur.” In addition, WHO has outlined the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021-2030, which contains seven strategic objectives and action items designed to promote co-operation between health care stakeholders. These strategic objectives and action items can be adapted and customized to specific health care environments, including our chiropractic profession.

During this workshop, we will walk through WHO’s Global Patient Safety Action Plan and identify what the chiropractic profession is already doing (that needs to be documented) and steps that could be taken to establish a more robust patient safety culture. We will discuss what data has been collected and what is needed, as well as the cultural changes necessary to shift our profession to the forefront of the patient safety movement. Together, we can become the model patient safety health care profession.

Presenter bio: Dr. Katherine Pohlman, D.C., M.S. Ph.D. is director of research and professor at Parker University. She is currently the vice chair of the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) – Research Council, Chair of the WFC’s Global Patient Safety Task Force, vice chair of the Research Workgroup for Chiropractic Future, and a senior fellow of the Chiropractic Academy of Research and Leadership (CARL) program. She received Researcher of the Year award in 2020 from the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), was the 2023 World Congress of Women Chiropractors’ Leadership awardee, and has served as the vice president of the ACA’s Council on Women’s Health and the ACA’s Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics. Dr. Pohlman received her Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree and M.S. in Clinical Research from Palmer College of Chiropractic, and her Ph.D. in pediatrics from the University of Alberta. She is an expert in study methodology, as well as in patient safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care in special populations, including children, adolescences, pregnant/postpartum individuals, and overall women’s health.

Afternoon session
The afternoon session will begin at 2 p.m. and consist of one three-hour workshop running in parallel to a series of one-hour workshops. The latter will allow for more flexibility and cover a range of topics.
To help you plan your day, we’ve provided detailed descriptions of each workshop and event schedule below. Take a look and decide what workshops you would like to attend.
Workshops:

Presenter: Dr. Simon Wang BSc, MSc, DC
Time: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Format: 100 person capacity (classroom-style workshop)

Description: During this talk, we will discuss the wonderful pop sound heard during an adjustment, mechanics that create the sound, factors that affect it, and what it means to patients and doctors. The goal is to give attendees a deep understanding of the unique sounds that accompany spinal adjustments.

Presenter Bio: Dr. Simon Wang is a chiropractor and assistant professor at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC). He completed his undergraduate degree in kinesiology at Western University and a master’s degree at the University of Waterloo in spine biomechanics prior to pursuing his chiropractic degree at CMCC. Dr. Wang practices at a multidisciplinary clinic in Toronto and teaches Biomechanics, Ergonomics and The Foundations of Spinal Manipulation and Manual Therapy at CMCC. His research interests include: Comfort/discomfort during spinal manipulation, biomechanics of spinal manipulation, and the patient experience during a visit to a chiropractor. Dr. Wang enjoys playing games and sports with his children, travelling, eating delicious food and doing the Wordle.

Presenter: Dr. John Srbely, DC PhD, Associate Professor of Biomechanics and Neurophysiology, Department of Human Health and Nutritional Science, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Format: 100 person capacity (classroom-style workshop) 

Description: Chronic myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) represents one of the most prevalent forms of chronic Musculoskeletal pain. Within the current body of literature, a central question revolves around whether myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are the root cause or an effect of chronic MPS. While the Integrated Hypothesis is the current prevailing theory suggesting that MTrPs are the site of local injury and the primary pathological drivers of chronic MPS, recent research suggests a shifting perspective.  

This emerging body of work proposes that neurogenic mechanisms may, in fact, play a foundational role in both the initiation and amplification of chronic MPS, even in the absence of localized muscle injury. This presentation aims to shed light on the evolving research into the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic MPS. It underscores the growing body of evidence supporting the emerging thesis that neurogenic inflammation plays a pivotal role in the development and perpetuation of various forms of chronic musculoskeletal pain. These findings have broad implications in the field, potentially paving the way for innovative therapeutic interventions that target these central mechanisms to effectively manage chronic MPS and related conditions of chronic pain. 

Presenter Bio: Dr. John Z. Srbely graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in 1992 and certified in clinical acupuncture in 2000. He obtained his PhD in biomechanics and neurophysiology in 2008 from the University of Guelph. Currently, he is an associate professor in Biomechanics and Neurophysiology in the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Science, University of Guelph. His research program focuses on studying the neurophysiological mechanisms and management of chronic pain, particularly the role of central sensitization and neurogenic inflammation in the clinical manifestation of musculoskeletal diseases. 

Presenter: Jessica Dinardo (Enriched Academy) Corporate Trainer
Time: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Format: 100 person capacity (classroom-style workshop)

Description: Explore the idea of financial freedom and learn about the necessary groundwork to start working towards this goal. You will also learn how to evaluate your current financial situation, identify the critical actions and changes required to build an effective path forward, measure your progress, and keep yourself motivated along the way.

Presenter Bio: Jess Dinardo is thrilled to be a part of the Enriched Academy. Jess has a passion for education and financial literacy, as well as a background in real estate and the performing arts. From a proud military family, she is a captivating speaker, bringing her expertise to deliver engaging and informative training programs. Jess is committed to equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to achieve financial success.

Presenter: OCA
Time: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Format: 100 person capacity (classroom-style workshop)

Description: The debate about the role of private pay in the continuum of care for Ontarians has been heightened given the challenges faced by the publicly funded system during COVID. 

Challenges with access to Family Physicians have existed for almost a decade and there is growing demand by Ontarians for community-based care through their private pay extended health benefits plans. Ontarians want more choice in which professionals they include in their circle of care, want information to guide those decisions and expect that those in their circle of care are connected in some way that meets their needs efficiently. 

Additionally, the Ministry of Health is seeking to optimize the scope of practice for regulated professionals using new models which engage existing professions differently. 

In the public system of care, data is collected at all points of access to care and at provider levels to make decisions about investments in new programs and scope enhancement, for example.  

Community based providers, such as chiropractors, are primarily covered through private pay and contribute significantly to the health and well-being of Ontarians. The value of this care needs to be demonstrated through data and outcome measurements as we advocate for chiropractors to be included in community-based teams.  

The OCA has been focused on accelerating the uptake of OCA Aspire with the strategic intent of ensuring that the care that chiropractors deliver, and the outcomes achieved can be captured in useful formats for advocacy and enhancing patient care outcomes. 

These sessions are designed to accelerate the OCA’s data strategy with input from experts and members on the establishment of Practice Based Research Networks. 

Over three sessions we will explore the power of data to advance the profession and patient care in Ontario. In session one, we will explore how data has been used to shape systems/models of care. 

Presenter: OCA
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Format: 100 person capacity (classroom-style workshop)

Description: The OCA has been focused on accelerating the uptake of OCA Aspire with the strategic intent of ensuring that the care that chiropractors deliver and the outcomes achieved can be captured in useful formats for advocacy and enhancing patient care outcomes. This session is designed to accelerate the OCA’s data strategy with input from members on the establishment of Practice Based Research Networks.

Over three sessions, we will explore the power of data to advance the profession and patient care in Ontario. In session 2, we will focus on exploring Practice Based Research Networks and considerations for advancing this work in Ontario leveraging OCA Aspire.

Presenter: OCA
Time: 4 pm. – 5 p.m.
Format: 100 person capacity (classroom-style workshop)

Description: The OCA has been focused on accelerating the uptake of OCA Aspire with the strategic intent of ensuring that the care that chiropractors deliver and the outcomes achieved can be captured in useful formats for advocacy and enhancing patient care outcomes. This session is designed to accelerate the OCA’s data strategy with input from members on the establishment of Practice Based Research Networks.

Over three sessions, we will explore the power of data to advance the profession and patient care in Ontario. In session 3, we will explore the some “basic questions” we should prioritize for data capture in the early stages.

Cost

  1. Hourly ticket: $20 (+HST)
  2. Three-hour ticket: $60 (+HST)
  3. Full day ticket: $120 (+HST)