Students, competency and etc

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/11/00 8:11:58 PM, sean writes:

 

<< There have been a number of undertones, and overtones, throughout

these essays that basically say newly graduated practitioners are

inadequately trained and that their education is generally poor.

Although I agree that education can always be improved, I feel

somewhat disparaged by these comments as a new practitioner. >>

 

Actually, newly trained master's level practitioners are much better trained

than those of my day (the 80's), but there are differences as well. I do,

however see a need to provide better business skills so they can survive and

prosper, and the schools have limited clinical variety, which can be remedied

by a trip to China.

This said, I can see that the newer students seem to be much more

professional tha even 5 years back, and I am hopeful that this will even get

better as availability of more advanced degrees come about as our profession

matures.

I think that what you are hearing about with respect to present day poorly

trained grads relates to two things.

1) There are some really crappy schools out there, but they will be weeded

out soon.

2) Those that are in practice for 5 years plus see thier own deficiencies and

what they have had to do independently to make up for them, and then see some

of the newer grads and see that it hasn't gotten that much better in some

ways. Few people feel that they have the ability to independently practice

immediately out of college, but most can rise to the challenge if thrown into

the fire. The first 5 years requires the most intensive work to survive and

get better, both clinically and financially. After that it is like fine wine

(or tequila) aging and getting smoother.

If we had to know it all before practicing, we would have quit due to

boredom. The neat thing about our profession is that we can learn our entire

lifetime and get continually better at our art. Our work is fun! How many can

say that?

DAvid Molony

[Guest guest]

Hi David,

Thanks for your comments, sorry I haven't replied sooner. I agree that business skills can be sharpened, but I also wonder

what impact expanding the education to a doctoral level will have. It will increase the cost of the education without, from what I can tell, increasing the amount you can charge at a visit. I suppose if your skills are raised to a much higher level you will be that much better a practitioner, and thereby attract that many more patients. This concern comes from a recent experience I had while inquiring about what Aetna pays for acupuncture in this area. The patient pays you $30 regardless of the amount of time you spend with them. Needless to say I am not joining up with Aetna. You have to run a patient mill, not what I got into this to do.

Anyway, I know this is a common concern and won't beat it to death. I look forward to the wine and tequila shooters that you speak of.

 

Sean

 

acuman1 [acuman1]Tuesday, March 14, 2000 12:50 AM Subject: Students, competency and etcacuman1 In a message dated 3/11/00 8:11:58 PM, sean writes:<< There have been a number of undertones, and overtones, throughoutthese essays that basically say newly graduated practitioners areinadequately trained and that their education is generally poor. Although I agree that education can always be improved, I feelsomewhat disparaged by these comments as a new practitioner. >>Actually, newly trained master's level practitioners are much better trained than those of my day (the 80's), but there are differences as well. I do, however see a need to provide better business skills so they can survive and prosper, and the schools have limited clinical variety, which can be remedied by a trip to China.This said, I can see that the newer students seem to be much more professional tha even 5 years back, and I am hopeful that this will even get better as availability of more advanced degrees come about as our profession matures.I think that what you are hearing about with respect to present day poorly trained grads relates to two things. 1) There are some really crappy schools out there, but they will be weeded out soon.2) Those that are in practice for 5 years plus see thier own deficiencies and what they have had to do independently to make up for them, and then see some of the newer grads and see that it hasn't gotten that much better in some ways. Few people feel that they have the ability to independently practice immediately out of college, but most can rise to the challenge if thrown into the fire. The first 5 years requires the most intensive work to survive and get better, both clinically and financially. After that it is like fine wine (or tequila) aging and getting smoother. If we had to know it all before practicing, we would have quit due to boredom. The neat thing about our profession is that we can learn our entire lifetime and get continually better at our art. Our work is fun! How many can say that?DAvid Molony

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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