Katie putting research back into Chiropractic training at CQUni

Newly appointed Chiropractic Senior Lecturer Dr Katie de Luca is keen to see evidence-based practice becoming the backbone of Chiropractic learning and teaching at CQUniversity.

Based in New South Wales' Dr de Luca has a strong background in research' including 13 years of professional experience that she is bringing to her students.

"(I want to bring) a love for research and evidence-based practice (to the course)'" Dr de Luca said.

"I hope to share lots of resources such as how to access quality journals and appraise articles' which will help to improve their research literacy and enable them to engage with research so that it is not overwhelming or a burden.

"Evidence and research should be embedded in learning and teaching and I hope to share my ability to translate research into practice for the students."

Dr de Luca first started clinical practice in a large multidisciplinary' sports-based clinic in Sydney' before moving home to the NSW coast about 10 years ago.

"I still have my own practice in our small town' where I really enjoy working in my local community as a chiropractor. Around 10 years ago I started my PhD at the University of Newcastle and finished it in 2016.

"Prior to my new role at CQUni I was a post-doctoral fellow at Macquarie University' where I have built my research program around musculoskeletal conditions in older adults' and most notably was awarded a $406 000 industry grant from the Australian Chiropractors Association to lead the Back Complaints in Elderly: Chiropractic – Australia study (BACE:C-A)."

She said she the BACE:C-A study follows 225 older adults with back pain for 12 months. The information gathered will help chiropractors and researchers understand the clinical course of back pain in older adults.

"The study is in collaboration with researchers in the Netherlands' Sweden and the UK' as well as my colleagues at Macquarie University. It is a world first' internationally collaborative' longitudinal study for a special population in chiropractic patients'" she said.

"Also' there are so many wonderful opportunities to be involved in chiropractic research at CQUni. Along with my colleagues such as Dr Matt Fernandez' we encourage students and clinicians to get in touch and start their research journey with us.

"As more than 300 000 Australians visit a chiropractor every week' it is really important that our students graduate with good knowledge of the best evidence available for the conditions we treat. It is really exciting to be a part of a progressive and nurturing learning environment at CQUni."