Guest guest Posted June 2, 2000 Report Share Posted June 2, 2000 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2000 Report Share Posted June 4, 2000 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2000 Report Share Posted June 4, 2000 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2000 Report Share Posted June 4, 2000 > 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2000 Report Share Posted June 4, 2000 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2000 Report Share Posted June 4, 2000 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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