There is a lot of sitting going on this quarter for all the CIC 12th quarter interns. You might be wondering why we are not involved in patient care to some extent. Of course, I have a great answer that stems beyond the surface.
Many people in the medical field judge the chiropractic education based on it's historic lack of residency programs for it's fresh graduates. These naysayers, believe the medical education is far superior to chiropractic medicine. Ideologically, of course I disagree, however, based on my current level of clinical activity, there is some truth to the medical argument.
Our time at the CIC these days is spent playing the game UNO and chatting about how useless we feel as interns. Occasionally, we are involved with patient care, but for the most part, we sit around and wait for the minutes to tick by.
A few of us chose to stay and there were some, including myself, who wanted out back in June. Things didn't work out, so I am now bored and feeling a bit useless. To end an educational experience like this is a bit challenging to accept.
I know if I were to have ventured down the Osteopathic path with my friend Andy Slater back in fourth quarter, I'd be beginning my 1st year NOW. That was too much of a sacrifice for me, but he will definitely reap the benefits of public acceptance and a stellar education beyond the 4 years of doctorate education.
To fill the gap in the education, I am spending time observing doctors in Portland and Boise. This has helped to some extent. I am also building my clinic in Boise which has taken quite a bit of time. All in all, it is relaxing compared to what it was like only a few months prior.
As far as the education system in chiropractic goes; something needs to change. The school's preceptor program should be revamped to allow a smooth transition from school to a clinic. Someone not only needs to keep in touch with these DC's but there needs to be some effort made to get more opportunities and perhaps, link up with a hospital or two that is willing to offer chiropractic care. Create rotations through these clinics and restructure the system to where we work with orthopedists, dermatologists, gynecologists, pediatricians etc. You can't just throw books at us and make no effort to connect us into the medical system. That would take effort on behalf of our school, so that is probably not going to happen and that is why we have virtually NO opportunities once we finish our clinic requirements. There shouldn't only be business opportunities for us. This fact is probably the most annoying thing I have encountered since finishing things up in May.
DC's that offer preceptorships largely want to expand their clinic system or add an associate doctor. This makes it difficult when you are looking to expand your knowledge base. In the field of physical therapy, 1,000's of post-doctorate programs are available to allow for specialization. It is quite unfortunate to have absolutely NO opportunities accept opening your own practice or becoming an associate at some clinic.
If you are not proactive in 12th quarter, you will not have any opportunities at all. I guess it's time to get busy.
All for now
No comments:
Post a Comment