EAC Special Interest Groups
Special Interest Group (SIG) is a community with an interest in advancing a specific area of knowledge, understanding, skills and competency, where members cooperate to effect or to produce solutions within their particular field, and may communicate, meet, and organise conferences to facilitate post-graduate training i.e., graduate training and lifelong learning.
If you have a question for one of the groups detailed below or would like to express an interest in joining one of the groups, please email the EAC Chair, Igor Dijkers, who will forward your email to the best person to deal with your enquiry. You can email Igor at: eacchair@chiropractic-ecu.org
The SIG in Clinical Chiropractic provides a think-tank, a discussion forum to investigate issues from clinical practice, which are usually not sufficiently addressed by the profession through the standard media, such as seminars and congresses. These include issues in clinical governance, technique, diagnostics and ethics. Master classes are held at the European annual convention.
The role of the SIG in Education is twofold: Firstly, to provide resources to support and develop Chiropractors in all their teaching functions. These may be formal teaching in a Chiropractic program, giving seminars to members of the profession or mentoring a student in a private practice. Their second role is advisory, of providing educational expertise, such as in formulating a programme for a new college or for preparing educational documents for legislation.
Recent developments in the field of Neuroscience, particularly in the areas of clinical and basic science research, have created opportunities for healthcare professionals to refine their skills and incorporate a range of diagnostic, rehabilitative and treatment interventions. The Neurology SIG will provide a forum for those wishing to develop their existing neurological expertise and acquire new knowledge and skills in the neurosciences. By offering postgraduate educational events and programmes of study, it will particularly focus on clinical applicability so that the scope for improving patient care can be expanded and improved. Real-life case studies and problem-solving exercises will help Neurology SiG members to broaden their skills in this important chiropractic speciality. By bringing together the three pillars of evidence-based practice – best available scientific research, clinical experience and expertise and patient values and preferences – Neurology SiG chiropractors will be exposed to a community of like-minded clinicians, academics and educators.
Paediatric
The primary goal of the paediatric division of the SIG in Paediatrics is to promote and advance post graduate education and research in this focused area. To achieve these goals, the team along with EAC members, will develop seminars and lectures in current topics, disseminate new research and research ideas and propose interactive learning strategies. A member’s forum is anticipated to promote communication among members where questions can be answered and experiences shared to advance everyone’s knowledge.
The SIG in Research facilitates the interaction and collaboration of European researchers with a background in chiropractic. Each year the EAC SIG in Research hosts the ‘Researcher’s Day’ in conjunction with the European Chiropractors’ Union Convention. The purpose of the Researchers’ Day is to provide an opportunity for researchers to interact, learn and formulate common strategies. It is hoped that communication between researchers will be further facilitated by the development of a researchers’ directory and forum.
The Mission in the SIG in Sports Chiropractic is to provide a meeting place, which encourages research, promotes a high standard in the delivery of care, professional communication, and a supportive resource in the education of chiropractors having demonstrated excellence in the field of chiropractic sport science and exercise.
The European Academy of Chiropractic (EAC) establishes and supports communities of colleagues who share a common interest that advances the its mission. Within these communities – Special Interest Groups (SIGs)- members gain access to opportunities for networking, professional development, and discussion of issues relevant to the represented interest.
In order to become a SIG, a responsible chair must be confirmed and a memorandum of agreement between this SIG and the EAC must be signed.
If you are interested in joining a special interest group (you can join as many as you would like) please email the EAC Chair, Igor Dijkers (eacchair@chiropractic-ecu.org) in the first instance.