NCMIC's Sportelli Delivers Warning on Webster's Technique at FCLB Conference
According to an article published by the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) (CLICK HERE), Dr. Lou Sportelli, the President of the National Chiropractic Mutual Insurance Company (NCMIC) which provides malpractice insurance to chiropractors, issued a warning to both state regulators and chiropractors at the Annual Meeting of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB).
Sportelli, using the Webster Technique/Obstetrics as an example, proceeded to explain that some state boards were approving continuing education for subjects and procedures that might be in violation of the statutes in their states.
In his speech, Sportelli begins his tirade against Webster's Technique by stating:
"What I'm going to talk about is very confusing, incredibly self serving for those that have an interest. This is a controversy I am going to call the Webster Technique".
With the use of air quotes around "Webster technique" NCMIC's President stated that "... if it is ruled by the examining board or a court or another entity with authority not to be in the scope of practice, it is not covered, as our policy excludes activity not within the scope of practice ... do you see the confusion with Boards that approve CE courses on this very subject and then the statutes or the scopes not permitting the utilization of the very subject matter they approved CE courses for...?"
Dr. Sportelli also warned that "...thus instruction for demonstration purposes or teaching is not part of the standard malpractice professional liability coverage ...." I believe the message is crystal clear: There are chiropractic boards and/or CCE accredited chiropractic colleges currently approving CE courses for procedures that are in fact outside the legal scope of practice of chiropractic in many states.
