Attending the recent European Chiropractors’ Union (ECU) Convention, “Chiropractic Horizons – Possibilities and Limitations,” Charles R. Herring, DC, president of the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER), introduced FCER’s new online resource center, DCConsultSM, while working with various European chiropractic leaders to find common issues and goals among FCER and the organizations. The convention was held May 1 to 3, 2008, at the Le Plaza Hotel in Brussels, Belgium, and was hosted by the Belgian Chiropractors’ Union.

“With FCER’s global focus, this event was a wonderful opportunity for FCER to showcase our new evidence-based resource center, DCConsult, to the gathering of chiropractic practitioners, educators, researchers and others leading the way for chiropractic in Europe,” Dr. Herring said. “The gathering was especially appreciative of the international scope the resource center is developing, and the fact evidence-based research is such an integral part of the web site. But more importantly, our attendance gave us the opportunities to not only become better acquainted with our European colleagues, but to continue to build strong working relationships with the various groups in attendance. It also allowed us the opportunity to share expertise and advice and to plan for future endeavors together,” he added.

Besides showcasing DCConsult, Dr. Herring sat in as European chiropractic researchers shared information about their current projects, research needs and research direction for the future. “This overlays perfectly with FCER’s decades-long research mission,” Dr. Herring said. “Also, it reinforces the need for the section of DCConsult currently in development that will allow the research community to interact and share ideas and thoughts,” Dr. Herring added.

Dr. Herring also met with Martin Wrangler, DC, executive director of the European Academy of Chiropractic (EAC), the new ECU education-related group. FCER has offered its advice and counsel as this group begins working with the chiropractic colleges and researchers on post-graduate training programs and continuing education.

“The basis for a productive and advantageous relationship with various European chiropractic organizations has been enhanced by our presence at the convention,” Dr, Herring added. “FCER is willing to share its years of knowledge and expertise to nurture these relationships.”

FCER is the chiropractic profession’s oldest not-for-profit foundation, serving the profession since 1944. Based in Norwalk, Iowa, FCER has as its mission to “Translate Research into Practice” by granting funds for research and producing practitioner and patient educational materials including teleconferences, CDs, books and pamphlets. FCER developed the DCConsult web site as part of its Evidence-Based Resource Center, an online source for clinical and patient education information.