As a chiropractic student, Hailey Speziale wasn't sure if she would fit with the Schroeder Pain Assessment and Rehabilitation Research Centre (SPARC) because it's part of a hospital network.
But she didn't need to worry.
"From the moment I walked through the clinic doors, everyone has welcomed me with open arms," says Hailey, a fourth-year student at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) and chiropractic intern at SPARC, an interdisciplinary clinic powered by UHN's KITE Research Institute that provides comprehensive care for people with chronic pain at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute.
Hailey's six-month placement is part of the inaugural cohort of CMCC students at SPARC. It's CMCC's first student placement program at UHN.
"Our goal is to enhance the training of future chiropractors and offer interns an enriching learning experience as they work alongside an interdisciplinary hospital team," says Maggie Szeto, SPARC Program Manager. "Prior to the launch of this chiropractic program, chiropractic treatment was not widely available at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute."
SPARC also conducts research in pain disorders through the fields of biomedical engineering, physical medicine and rehabilitation, clinical epidemiology and kinesiology.
Students assess and treat a range of complex conditions
Over the course of the six-month placement program, CMCC's fourth-year students gain hands-on experience treating patients while working alongside physicians, neuropsychologists, kinesiologists, social workers and other health care professionals.
"Students are given the opportunity to assess and treat a range of complex conditions that they don't regularly encounter in community clinics," Maggie says.
"Our patients receive care from a team of talented and experienced chiropractors and interns at significantly reduced rates with access to our gym equipped for therapeutic exercises and rehab."
CMCC pursued a partnership with SPARC because of the unique opportunities it could provide their students, says Dr. Ted Crowther, Director of Clinical Education & Patient Care at CMCC.
"While our initial relationship with SPARC was founded on research initiatives to improve health outcomes, the opportunity to train future chiropractors in a diverse interdisciplinary setting, with the types of patients seen was truly exciting."
For Hailey, her time at SPARC has opened new career possibilities.
"Before this placement, I wasn't sure how my role could fit in a hospital environment," she says. "Now, I'm interested in exploring a role with a hospital in my hometown."
