The ACA has approved a number of Clinical Practice Groups (CPG) to which registered Chiropractors can apply for membership.
Clinical Practice Groups are networks of practitioners with similar interests and the intent is to support fellow interest group members and to enhance the knowledge within the profession.
The ACA recognises that a registered Chiropractor who demonstrates advanced skills in an approved interest group area may be designated as a “special interest chiropractor.”
Advanced skills are acquired through post-professional training, whether in the process of completion or completed.
The ACA emphasises the importance of chiropractors who focus on and have skills with special populations participating in CPG to:
- Promote excellence
- Pool expertise, specialised knowledge and skills
- Promote practice standards with regard to special populations, and
- Promote and enhance an integrative approach by sharing knowledge inter-professionally.
New CPG may be created based on relevance, community need and support within the profession.
Current CPG may be discontinued if there is insufficient need.
CPG each have their own charter, outlining purpose and membership requirements.
CPG do not represent the full range of special interests’ chiropractors may hold.
Chiropractors with membership to a CPG may be able to identify themselves as being a member of the ACA “XYZ Clinical Practice Group” in addition to being a registered Chiropractor. ACA chiropractors should be mindful that chiropractors are not allowed to advertise themselves as having any specialist qualifications.
The use and manner in which post-nominals are used is a matter for the awarding body, in this case ACA through AICE, and must be in adherence to any universal or other agreed processes. The main issue for compliance with advertising laws is to make it clear that it is for a chiropractic discipline.
- The Chiropractic Board of Australia Code of Conduct and Guidelines do not prohibit a registrant from setting out their qualifications and memberships. Hence, in relation to the proposed post-notation for the Members and Fellows, subject to them properly achieving such category with AICE, the use of such post-nominals would not be held to be “misleading or deceptive”.
- As there are no protected titles for chiropractors, or categories of specialist registration, this needs to be complied with carefully and the use of “specialist, or any derivatives thereof, should not be used.
- In relation to the fundamental premise to differentiate the use of the title “Doctor” from a medical practitioner so as to avoid misrepresentation, the clarification as recommended in the Guidelines by placing “(Chiropractor)” after a registrant’s name is still required.
- As a result, for a Member or Fellow of AICE to use the post-nominals in any advertising or other business document, the following is recommended:
Dr Mary Smith BAppSc (ClinSc) BChiroSc MAICE (2019) (Chiropractor)