The OCA works hard to advance the profession by increasing awareness of the benefits of chiropractic care for both individuals and the health care system. As well, we work hard to provide our members with the tools they need to build strong, successful practices, so that you may, in turn, serve your patients.

OCA membership gives you:

• Joint membership in the Canadian Chiropractic Association.
   
• Access to membership in the Canadian Chiropractic Protective Association, Canada’s largest liability coverage provider for DCs. The CCPA also provides the highest level of professional liability coverage to new graduates at a reduced rate when they join the OCA.
   
• The right to join local chiropractic societies in more than 30 regions across Ontario, enabling you to network with colleagues in your area.
     
• Access to the OCA’s Patient Management Program (PMP), practice enhancement software developed by chiropractors for chiropractors and backed by support-line staff with real front-line experience in a chiropractic practice environment.
     
• Access to the OCA’s practice enhancement program, Business in Practice, featuring business and patient communications tools, CHA training, consulting services and practice marketing education.
   
• Members can also rely on the OCA to communicate relevant news and information that directly impacts their practices.
   
• Communications tools available to members include public education PowerPoint presentations, MD referral forms and patient education materials, including the Chiropractic Care and You pamphlet.
   
• Access to special events, such as the OCA’s Pathways to Practice, the association’s professional development day and tradeshow — providing excellent opportunities to network with your peers from all over Ontario.
   
• Access to the OCA's Member and Family Assistance Program (MFAP), provided by Wilson Banwell-Proact-Human Solutions. Access to services are available 24-7, by phone or online and is completely confidential.
   
• ChiroWrite, OCA’s premium clinic notes software. Available to members in spring 2009, the software integrates with OCA’s PMP and utilizes CCO guidelines. Pricing will be pro-rated and offer an incentive. 

OCA membership lets you give back:

Your membership in the OCA not only benefits you and your practice, but helps the chiropractic profession in the province of Ontario. The OCA works to generate awareness about the benefits of chiropractic, not only for individual patients, but for employers and the health care system as a whole. Membership dues support:

• Advocacy — the the OCA works with government decision makers, participating in pre-budget and health care consultations, as well as preparing briefs and presentations. The association’s government relations activities also include training DCs as riding designates to generate awareness about the benefits of chiropractic at the grassroots level with MPPs and candidates throughout Ontario.
   
• Media Relations — has always been a strong suit of the OCA and it is important for us to continue to foster positive interaction with press and the public. We enhance our relationship with the media by proactively seeking opportunities for positive coverage, particularly in publications targeting key stakeholder groups. Already, coverage about the case for chiropractic has been published in the Pension and Benefits Monitor’s online edition. As well, Axiom News and the National Post have published pieces outlining the benefits of including chiropractic in Family Health Teams and other collaborative clinical environments. As well, the OCA’s public awareness modules — Pack it Light, Wear it Right; Pack it Light, Wear it Right – on the go; Plant and Rake Without the Ache; Get in the Game Without the Pain; and Lift Light, Shovel Right — continue to receive positive attention from the media and the public, and are useful tools for members’ public outreach activities.
   
• Generating public awareness — marketing and communications materials including the successful We’ve Got Your Back print advertising campaign and the EHC Patient Advocacy Program. The program includes an OCA brochure titled When Chiropractic Is Covered, Everyone Benefits, as well as a poster, a backgrounder and a how-to guide.
   
• A new mentorship program — called Lending a Hand, has been officially launched to members across the province to give new graduates guidance on professional and practice issues.