Morning
The Journey of Lifelong Learning: Preparing the Future Workforce
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T1A Credit Hours: 1.5
Room: Progress
SESSION OVERVIEW
This opening session welcomes attendees and explores lifelong learning as a journey that begins in school and continues through every stage of our careers. Participants will consider why future chiropractors need curiosity, evidence use, reflection, adaptability, and teamwork. The session discusses workforce needs with habits that help clinicians keep improving as science, technology, patients, and health systems change.
SPEAKERS
MODERATOR: Rebekah Wilks, DC, BA, BS; World Federation of Chiropratic, United States
John Maltby, DC; World Federation of Chiropractic, United States
Karin Kaptein, BS(Chiro); Netherlands Chiropractors' Association
Ryan Coster, MSChiro; President, WFC Board of Directors, Canada
Yi Kai Wong, BSc Chiro, MSc PH, Senior Lecturer, IMU, Malaysia
Bart Green, DC, MSEd, PhD; National University of Health Sciences, United States
KEYNOTE: Peter de Jong, PhD; Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands
BREAK 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Overcoming Barriers to Lifelong Learning: How to Become Better Learners
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T1B Credit Hours: 1.5
Room: Progress
SESSION OVERVIEW Many busy professionals want to continue learning but face barriers such as time constraints, cost, stress, poor study habits, and information overload. This session discusses common barriers and practical ways to become stronger learners. Topics include setting clear goals, asking better questions, using feedback, finding trusted information, and building learning routines that fit real work life. We will discuss organizational efficiency at individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels.
SPEAKERS
MODERATOR: Fatima Ismail, Mtech(Chiro), PhD; University of Johannesburg, South Africa
KEYNOTE: Molly Meri Robinson Nicol, DC; Technical Lead, Process Efficiency, World Health Organization, Switzerland
Espen Ohren, MChiro(Hons), BSc; European Chiropractors' Union, Norway
Lesley Haig, DPT, MSc; Health Sciences University, United Kingdom
LUNCH 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Afternoon
Chiropractic Advances as a Healthcare Profession in the Netherlands: Current Place in Healthcare and Education
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T2A Credit Hours: 1
Room: Progress
SESSION OVERVIEW
This session reviews how chiropractic has grown as a health profession and how its education has changed over time. Participants will explore chiropractic’s current role in health care, especially in the Netherlands and surrounding European regions. The session considers what education programs must do to prepare graduates for safe, ethical, and effective practice in changing health systems.
SPEAKERS
MODERATOR:
Christopher Yelverton, PhD, Mtech(Chiro); University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Karin Kaptein, BS(Chiro); Netherlands Chiropractors' Association
Vivian Kil, MChiro; European Chiropractors' Union, Netherlands
Espen Ohren, MChiro(Hons), BSc; European Chiropractors' Union, Norway
Toolkit for Designing Implementable Interprofessional Learning Activities
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T2B Credit Hours: 1
Room: Mission 1
SESSION OVERVIEW
Interprofessional education (IPE) is essential for preparing health professions graduates for collaborative, patient-centered care. This highly interactive workshop introduces IPE-in-a-Box, a structured, evidence-informed toolkit designed to help educators move from intention to implementation. Participants will engage in a practical design sprint to create a context-relevant, implementable interprofessional learning activity aligned with the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) Core Competencies. Participants will work in small groups using competency cards, structured templates, and guided prompts to design a feasible IPE activity suitable for the classroom. By the end of the workshop, attendees will leave with not only a deeper understanding of IPE design principles but also a completed activity blueprint that can be implemented, scaled, or adapted across diverse educational contexts.
SPEAKERS
WORKSHOP LEADER: Fatima Ismail, Mtech(Chiro), PhD; University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Ashura Abdul-Rasheed, PhD, Mtech(Chiro); University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Faye Deane, BSc(Chiro); Teesside University, United Kingdom
Mark Stamper-Webster, BSc(Chiro), MSc(Chiro), MSC(PM); European Council on Chiropractic Education, Councils on Chiropractic Education International, United Kingdom
Chiropractic and Sports: Treatment and Biomechanics of the Lower Extremity and Effects on the Spine
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T2C Credit Hours: 1
Room: Mission 2
SESSION OVERVIEW
This workshop focuses on how lower extremity function can affect the spine in athletes and active patients. Participants will review biomechanics of the hip, knee, ankle, and foot and connect these findings to common movement problems. The session will also discuss chiropractic evaluation and treatment approaches that support safe performance, injury prevention, and better movement across the whole kinetic chain.
SPEAKER
Joel Carmichael, DC, PhD; University of Colorado School of Medicine, United States
Education Research: Research Abstract Presentations 1
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T2D Credit Hours: 1
Room: Quest
SPEAKERS
MODERATOR: Celia Maguire, BS, DC; Parker University, United States
Bridging competency-based assessment and professional regulation: development of a clinical reasoning assessment tool for peer assessment
Danica Brousseau
Development and implementation of a horizontally integrated basic sciences course in chiropractic education: A descriptive report
Mike Wiles
Do you need clinical knowledge to learn clinical reasoning? Making the implicit explicit
Mike Wiles
Student attitudes to simulation‑based interprofessional learning: A single‑group pre‑ and post‑test cohort study
James Oldham
Educational trends in item performance: A longitudinal analysis of difficulty and discrimination in professional examinations
Igor Himelfarb
Shaping the future of education: A structured analysis of competency-based learning, post-pandemic trends, and AI integration
Igor Himelfarb
Best Practices in Establishing Chiropractic Programs: Lessons from the Field
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T3A Credit Hours: 1
Room: Progress
SESSION OVERVIEW
Starting or improving a chiropractic program requires clear mission, strong leadership, qualified faculty, clinical training, assessment systems, student support, and quality improvement. This session shares lessons from programs that have built or revised chiropractic education programs. Participants will consider how to plan responsibly, meet standards, support faculty, and create a program that can grow while maintaining quality.
SPEAKERS
MODERATOR: Tom Michielsen, MD, MSc(Chiro); Dutch Belgian Research Institute of Chiropractic, Belgium
Rebekah Wilks, DC, BA, BS; World Federation of Chiropractic, United States
Michael Schneider, DC, PhD; Doctor of Chiropractic Program, University of Pittsburgh, United States
Kenneth Young, DC, PhD; Victoria University, Australia
Stephen Wang, BS(BusManagement); Jin Ji Jian China Chiropractic Academic Center, China
Assessing Rehabilitation Competency with Standardized Patients: A Global Overview
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T3B Credit Hours: 1
Room: Mission 1
SESSION OVERVIEW
Participants will engage in reflective dialogue, compare institutional practices, and collaboratively prioritize essential elements to develop consistent, valid rubrics for assessing rehabilitation competency using standardized patients. Attendees during this workshop will explore how standardized patients can better support the teaching, evaluation, and refinement of rehabilitation skills across diverse chiropractic programs worldwide. Chiropractic educators will gain strategies for evaluating rehabilitation performance, strengthened connections with colleagues committed to standardized patient best practices, and a deeper understanding of how standardized, rubric-based assessment can elevate the teaching and evaluation of rehabilitation in chiropractic education.
SPEAKERS
WORKSHOP LEADER: Jean-Luc Gauthier, DC, MSc; Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada
Brett Guist, BHSc, MS, DC; Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Canada
Michael Vianin, MScRehab, DC; Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland
Katie de Luca, BAppSci, Mchiro, PhD; Queensland University, Australia
Women’s Health and Chiropractic: Best Practices in Chiropractic Practice
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T3C Credit Hours: 1
Room: Mission 2
SESSION OVERVIEW
Women’s health includes issues such as pregnancy, pelvic health, pain, aging, bone health, and access to respectful, evidence-informed care. This workshop reviews best practices for chiropractors who care for women across the lifespan. Participants will discuss communication, screening, referral, evidence-informed manual care, safety, and collaborative practice. The focus is practical care that is patient-centered, ethical, and sensitive to each person’s needs.
SPEAKER
Kristina Petrocco-Napuli, DC, MS, DHPE; Whole Health Care Solutions, United States
Education Research: Research Abstract Presentations 2
Room: Quest
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T3D Credit Hours: 1
SPEAKERS
MODERATOR: Celia Maguire, BS, DC; Parker University, United States
Rural musculoskeletal health in South Africa: Outcomes and reflections from a chiropractic education initiative
Ashua Abdul-Rasheed
Comparison of generative artificial intelligence chatbots on selecting optimal recommendations for chiropractic care
John Ward
Virtual reality simulation in radiography teaching for chiropractic students: A mixed-methods study
Henrik Hein Lauridsen
Prevalence of burnout among chiropractic educators in Malaysia
Subash Srivastav
The innovation and evolution of clinical manikin simulation in chiropractic education: A 15-year descriptive report
Sophia da Silva-Oolup
Chiropractic students’ ability to assess blood pressure accurately: A retrospective review
Sophia da Silva-Oolup
NETWORKING BREAK 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
Best Practices in Chiropractic Accreditation: The Future for Global Regions
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T4A Credit Hours: 1
Room: Progress
SESSION OVERVIEW
Accreditation helps protect students, patients, and the public by setting expectations for program quality. This session looks at how chiropractic accreditation can support growth in global regions while allowing local flexibility. Discussion will include local relevance, such as the Netherlands. Participants will explore myths and facts about standards, peer review, outcomes, transparency, and continuous improvement.
SPEAKERS
MODERATOR: Craig Little, EdD; Council on Chiropractic Education, United States
Penelope Bance, BA(Hons); General Chiropractic Council, United Kingdom
Christopher Yelverton, PhD, Mtech(Chiro); University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Designing Your Personal Learning System: How to Be a Better Lifelong Learner
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T4B Credit Hours: 1
Room: Mission 1
SESSION OVERVIEW
A personal learning system is a simple plan for finding, studying, using, and reviewing new information. This workshop helps participants build a system that fits their goals and work schedule. Topics include choosing trusted sources, setting learning goals, using reflection, saving useful information, applying new knowledge to practice, and checking whether learning is improving patient care and professional growth.
SPEAKERS
Jayne Moschella, BS, DC; Parker University, United States
Lia Nightingale, PhD; Palmer College of Chiropractic, United States
Chiropractic Care of Children and Adolescents: What to Know About Pediatric Care
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T4C Credit Hours: 1
Room: Mission 2
SESSION OVERVIEW
This session gives chiropractors and educators a practical overview of care of infants, children, and adolescents. Participants will review development, communication with families, common presentations, safety, documentation, consent, and when to refer. The workshop emphasizes that pediatric care should be thoughtful, evidence-informed, family-centered, and appropriate for the child’s age, needs, and health status.
SPEAKERS
WORKSHOP LEADER: Jenny Brocker, DC; ACA Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics, United States
Mike Marinus, MScPaeds, MTechChiro; Logan University, United Kingdom
Chantale Doucet, DC, MSc; Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada
Anna Papadopoulou, MChiro, MSc(App); Logan University, Cyprus
Inclusion of Chiropractic in Healthcare in the Netherlands: A Political View
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T4E Credit Hours: 1
Room: Expedition
SESSION OVERVIEW
Stakeholder engagement is essential when developing and integrating the chiropractic profession into the larger healthcare system. The purpose of this session is to engage political representatives in an active discussion that will help everyone better understand the concerns – but more importantly – the solutions – for inclusion of chiropractic care.
SPEAKERS
MODERATOR: Karin Kaptein, BS(Chiro); Netherlands Chiropractors' Association
Elly van Wijk
Jacqueline van den Hil
Liane den Haan
Education Research: Research Abstract Presentations 3
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T4D Credit Hours: 1
Room: Quest
SPEAKERS
MODERATOR: Brett Guist, BHSc, MS, DC; Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Canada
Uses, needs, and perceptions of artificial intelligence in health sciences education: A mixed-methods survey study
Ilija Arar
Exploring personal and professional development through an international chiropractic community health placement: A qualitative study
JaHyeon Min
Chiropractic-led interprofessional rounds: A descriptive interprofessional education model
Mark Labrecque
Evaluating the impact of an International Online Student Healthcare Conference on interprofessional education and research engagement: A mixed-methods study
Faye Deane
Supporting early career chiropractic academics in health professional education curriculum design: Developing educational capability within a new program
Navine Haworth
A scoping review on touch in the chiropractic profession and curricula
Navine Haworth
The Importance of Chiropractic Research in Universities: What Needs to Happen Next
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T5A Credit Hours: 1
Room: Progress
SESSION OVERVIEW
Universities can help chiropractic grow through research, teaching, clinical service, and partnerships. This session explores why research matters for professional credibility, patient care, policy, and education. Participants will discuss what needs to happen next, including building research culture, mentoring faculty and students, improving methods, supporting publication, and connecting research questions to real patient and community needs.
SPEAKERS
MODERATOR: Tom Michielsen, MD, MSc(Chiro); Dutch Belgian Research Institute of Chiropractic, Belgium
Annemarie de Zoete, PhD; Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Sidney M Rubinstein, DC, PhD; Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Nederland
Michael Schneider, DC, PhD; Doctor of Chiropractic Program, University of Pittsburgh, United States
Lifelong Learning: How to Maximize Your Professional Development Plan
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T5B Credit Hours: 1
Room: Mission 1
SESSION OVERVIEW
A professional development plan helps chiropractors learn with purpose instead of only attending random courses or learning activities. This workshop shows how to set goals, choose learning activities, track progress, reflect on outcomes, and connect learning to patient care and career growth. Participants will leave with practical steps for making continuing professional development more focused, useful, and measurable.
SPEAKERS
Michael Wiles, DC, MEd, MS, EdD; University of Pittsburgh, United States
Sports Chiropractic: Impact of Chiropractic Care on Athletes
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T5C Credit Hours: 1
Room: Mission 2
SESSION OVERVIEW
Athletes often seek care that supports performance, recovery, injury prevention, and return to sport. This workshop reviews the role of chiropractic care in sports settings. Participants will consider evidence, clinical reasoning, communication with coaches and teams, safe manual care, exercise advice, and outcomes that matter to athletes. The focus is on responsible, evidence-informed sports chiropractic practice.
SPEAKERS
WORKSHOP LEADER: Brian Nook, DC ; Fédération Internationale de Chiropratique du Sport, Australia
Katie de Luca, BAppSci, Mchiro, PhD; Fédération Internationale de Chiropratique du Sport, Australia
Education Research: Research Abstract Presentations 4
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Session Number: WFCEdConf2026_T5D Credit Hours: 1
Room: Quest
SPEAKERS
MODERATOR: Brett Guist, BHSc, MS, DC; Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Canada
Manikin-based simulation within the University of Zurich Chiropractic Medicine Study Program: A mixed-methods case study
Lindsay Gorrell
Designing game-based learning for manual therapy skills in the context of peer mentoring: A descriptive report
Charles-Olivier Pelletier
AI-Enhanced virtual reality communication training for complex patient encounters in pre-clinical chiropractic education
Mary Lee Carter
Statutory regulators' views on continuing professional development: A qualitative study of UK osteopathy and chiropractic
Kenneth Young
Modern teaching for clinical education involving manual therapy: A 6-pillar approach
Kenneth Young
SPONSORS
WFC thanks the sponsors who have helped make possible the 2026 WFC Global Education Conference.
