An international meeting of chiropractic leaders from Europe and Canada resulted in 12 consensus statements about collaborating on research and clinical guidelines. Key points included: establishing a North Atlantic research alliance; supporting research through funding and career opportunities to build credibility; conducting multinational collaborative research to improve quality and status; and developing clinical guidelines in conjunction with educational institutions.

1. CONSENSUS STATEMENTS FROM THE NORTH ATLANTIC RESEARCH DAY
An international meeting of chiropractic leaders and researchers from Europe and Canada
took place in Oslo, Norway on 19 October 2011 to discuss future collaboration in matters of
research and clinical guidelines. Following presentations by Jakob Lothe (President,
Norwegian Chiropractic Association), Rick Ruegg (Canadian Chiropractic Association), Peter
Kryger-Baggesen (President, Danish Chiropractic Association) and Oystein Ogre (President,
European Chiropractors’ Union) a wide-ranging discussion followed and the following
consensus statements were agreed:
1. An international collaboration of European and Canadian researchers will enhance
awareness and foster a greater understanding and appreciation of research in
chiropractic. A mutually beneficial North Atlantic research alliance has been
identified as a desirable starting point.
2. Research is a fundamental component in securing the credibility of the chiropractic
profession. It must therefore be universally supported by its political leaders, its
educational institutions and external stakeholders.
3. The early identification of talented chiropractic undergraduates should facilitate
career pathways leading to academic prestige, professional recognition and
progression towards a sustainable research culture.
4. Token funding of chiropractic research will not achieve meaningful results. For the
profession to acquire cultural authority it must commit to serious funding streams to
facilitate meaningful research activity.
5. Multinational collaborative research partnerships will permit better quality research
and an evidence-informed growth in the status of the profession.
6. The chiropractic profession must recognise that research it conducts should not be
exclusively owned by chiropractors and should seek answers to questions that will
benefit society and the wider healthcare community.
7. There should be an acceptance that research outcomes may lead to the
development of new evidence-informed approaches to patient care in chiropractic.
8. Ownership of a research culture by the chiropractic profession at large must of
necessity engage the wider profession. Using clinicians and clinic-based research
provides an opportunity for all to contribute.
9. Chiropractors should accept the value of interprofessional work andthe sharing of
research ideas.

2. 10. Relationships with university-based research initiatives are desirable and will aid
credibility. Chiropractors must identify objectives and be willing to commit financial
and human resources to attract the interest of university partners.
11. Funding strategies should communicate objectives, value and investment.
International collaborations may attract seed funding.
12. International collaboration around defined projects such as clinical guidelines will aid
the development and identity of the profession. They will also inform research
strategies for ongoing projects. Guidelines should best be developed in conjunction
with educational institutions.
Signatories
Rick Ruegg Canadian Chiropractic Association
Keith Thomson Canadian Chiropractic Federation of Regulatory Boards
Peter Kryger-Baggesen President, Danish Chiropractic Association
JakobBjerre Executive Director, Danish Chiropractic Association
Tobias Lauritsen President, Swedish Chiropractic Association
Stefan Malmqvist PhD candidate, University of Stavanger
Jakob Lothe President, Norwegian Chiropractic Association
EspenJohanssen Vice-President, Norwegian Chiropractic Association and WFC European
representative)
Knut Andersen NCA appointed board member, University of Stavanger
Tim Raven President, ECCE
Lise Lothe Registrar, European Academy of Chiropractic
President, Norwegian Spine Research Association
Oystein Ogre President, European Chiropractors’ Union
Richard Brown President, British Chiropractic Association
Secretary, European Chiropractors’ Union
Tom Michielsen Research Director, European Chiropractors’ Union
Jan Hartvigsen Professor, University of Southern Denmark
HenrikWulff Christensen Director, Nordic Institute of Chiropractic and Clinical Biomechanics.