The chiropractic profession has been working for some time toward increased integration in health care by seeking ways to become more involved within communities and on the national level, laying a foundation for doctors of chiropractic to collaborate more meaningfully with different types of providers for the benefit of patients.

Dr. N. Ray Tuck, Jr., DC, and Dr. Steven J. Gould, DC provide one example of chiropractors who are advancing integration and bridging the gap with their medical colleagues through volunteer leadership. Drs. Tuck and Gould are the current presidents of the Virginia Board of Medicine and the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, respectively, which are the state agencies responsible for overseeing competent patient care through licensing of physicians, establishing and enforcing standards of practice, educating practitioners and the public, and evaluating complaints.

There are currently only three states in the U.S.—Illinois, Kansas and Virginia—that have integrated multidisciplinary medical licensing boards. The rest of the U.S. states and territories have boards that are chiropractic-specific. The Kansas State Board is made up of 15 members, across multiple disciplines, including five medical doctors, three doctors of chiropractic, two doctors of osteopathy, two doctors of philosophy, one doctor of podiatric medicine and one public member. The Virginia Board is comprised of 18 members, including 11 medical doctors, one doctor of osteopathy, one doctor of podiatric medicine, one doctor of chiropractic and four public members. As we move toward integration in health care, the big winner will be the patient, as the quality of health care and options available to them improve with cooperation in overseeing the parameters of public health.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com.