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I can't help but feel that the not infrequent references to purism,

witch burning, hitler, etc. are imbued with pejorative connotations. On

the other hand, those of us " purists " who demand a rigorous TCM

education to be the common foundation of our entire profession need to

perhaps come to terms with the profession of american Acupuncture as it

exists. The title used to label us in most states is typically licensed

acupuncturist. It can certainly be argued that Oriental Medicine

already encompasses such an exhaustive array of therapies that it serves

no purpose to dilute the field with homeopathy, etc. However, the

reality is that American acupuncture is NOT Oriental Medicine, but it is

by legal definition in many states an eclectic practice that typically

includes more modern, naturopathic, nutritional and biomedical

modalities in scope of practice than traditional chinese ones. And

chinese herbs are still excluded from most state laws, to boot.

 

So whatever we " purists " idealize TCM to be, Acupuncture is already an

organized eclectic healing profession that is not likely to relinquish

its stance or accumulated power. Perhaps because of lack of

naturopathic laws in most states and/or an attraction to acupuncture as

a modality, many folks who have other prior natural healing orientations

have entered and shaped this profession. I think we have to live with

this reality, but then we should seriously consider mandating training

and examination in all areas of licensed practice. Your patients assume

you are trained in what you do. They would not be pleased if they found

out otherwise.

 

So the " purists " need to decide if this profession represents their

interests. Don't be hasty, though. The eclectics accept TCM as one

" style " , so there is always a home here for us, as long as we do not try

and impose our perceived tyranny. However, it may be that there are

irreconcilable differences that can only be eradicated by radical

changes. Perhaps, the doctorate should be used to crystallize this

issue. Accept that Licensed acupuncturists are an eclectic profession,

but demand that the OMD be just that, an Oriental Medicine doctorate.

 

todd

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In a message dated 6/2/00 12:31:30 PM, herb-t writes:

 

<< So the " purists " need to decide if this profession represents their

interests. Don't be hasty, though. The eclectics accept TCM as one

" style " , so there is always a home here for us, as long as we do not try

and impose our perceived tyranny. However, it may be that there are

irreconcilable differences that can only be eradicated by radical

changes. Perhaps, the doctorate should be used to crystallize this

issue. Accept that Licensed acupuncturists are an eclectic profession,

but demand that the OMD be just that, an Oriental Medicine doctorate. >>

 

There is no doubt that the OMD should be focused on clinical Oriental

Medicine. What must be done is to have the graduating students aware of what

is out there that their patients will be doing besides OM. This includes

everything from Western meds to homeopathy and bach flowers. These are

" survey courses " and expose the students so they don't look stupd when a

patient comes in using these things. They are not meant to be inclusive

courses. This is the core curriculum.

Elective curriculum should include of course a focus on OM modalities, but

also have electives on things in the scope that interest the particular

students if they choose a school that offers that focus. A school may choose

a focus that is different than TCM or TJM or TKM, if you know what I mean,

but its core will still provide the basis for both looking at everything done

from an OM standpoint along with the ability to pass an examination in OM,

which will require that perspective to pass.

Most schools will minimize this elective training because the best way to get

more and better students is to have a high pass rate and high grades on that

pass rate, which is, or should be, published, and chances are that focus on

singular OM studies will make that happen.

The idea is to allow the academic freedom to approach OM in the way the

school chooses while providing an effective education.

DAvid Molony

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In a message dated 6/4/00 3:01:15 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

michaelmax writes:

 

<<

Interesting line of thought. I would think that students would choose a

school and program of training that focused on helping them to become

excellent practitioners. Exam pass rates and grades on those exams may or

may not have much to do with how well a person can practice medicine.

 

This also begs the question of whether schools are teaching students to pass

an exam or are they teaching them how to think and learn about medicine so

they can help their patients.

 

Michael >>

 

 

What you say is true. But, from a patient's point of view, would you want to

go to an acupuncturist who failed point location, or an herbalist who could

not name the properties of the herbs she was prescribing? Obviously, exam

pass rates do have some bearing on what a person has learned, and our

medicine is a combination of science and art, so the stuff has to be learned.

 

Julie

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> Most schools will minimize this elective training because the best way to get

> more and better students is to have a high pass rate and high grades on that

> pass rate, which is, or should be, published, and chances are that focus on

> singular OM studies will make that happen.

 

 

Interesting line of thought. I would think that students would choose a

school and program of training that focused on helping them to become

excellent practitioners. Exam pass rates and grades on those exams may or

may not have much to do with how well a person can practice medicine.

 

This also begs the question of whether schools are teaching students to pass

an exam or are they teaching them how to think and learn about medicine so

they can help their patients.

 

Michael

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In a message dated 6/4/00 6:01:21 PM, michaelmax writes:

 

<< Interesting line of thought. I would think that students would choose a

school and program of training that focused on helping them to become

excellent practitioners. Exam pass rates and grades on those exams may or

may not have much to do with how well a person can practice medicine. >>

 

That may be the way the student quantifies what is considered subjective

information they get from professionals they meet. They have few other ways

of checking out a school besides visiting it and actualy talking to the

students presently attending. To get to that point, they probably look at

results. What you are taught and what you take away from it is always

different for different people.

 

David

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Hi Julie

 

> What you say is true. But, from a patient's point of view, would you want to

> go to an acupuncturist who failed point location, or an herbalist who could

> not name the properties of the herbs she was prescribing? Obviously, exam

> pass rates do have some bearing on what a person has learned, and our

> medicine is a combination of science and art, so the stuff has to be learned.

 

I absolutely agree that anyone who is practicing Chinese medicine should

know the basics of the medicine. They darn well better know their points and

herbs, otherwise they are a potential danger to their patients and the

profession.

 

I am all for exams and testing to make sure that students have learned the

material. I just don't think that teaching people to pass tests is the same

as teaching them how to be effective in the clinic. I guess I figure that

if you know your clinical stuff, you will pass the tests.

 

Just my particular point of view.

Michael

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