AIMS

This component of the Institute training program is designed, in combination with formal teaching, to enable the student to become a competent practitioner of Traditional Chinese medicine.

OBJECTIVES

To introduce the student to all facets of the duty operation of a TCM clinic, via the observation and assistance of a professionally qualified practitioner in general clinical procedures.

To have the student participate in some basic clinical procedures involved in the diagnosis and patient management in traditional Chinese medicine, as an assistant.

To provide students with an understanding of all aspects of patient care, under the guidance of an approved supervisor.


GUIDELINES FOR STUDENT CLINICAL PRACTICUM

Attention students - Before a program with the institute , students are deliberately encouraged to:

1. Prior to clinic study in China, students wishing to complete the Advanced Diploma of Traditional Chinese Medicine must have completed:490 supervised clinical hours (Clinic practicum)
   
   
2. This may consist of up to a maximum of 204 supervised hours outside the Institute clinic with an approved supervisor.
   
   
3. All external supervisors are to be approved by the institute Academic Board or by the Principal or by the Clinic Co-Ordinator of the Institute.
   
   
4. Students will not be entitled to credit of external clinical hours unless the Institute has had direct and satisfactory written communication with the supervisor who must then be approved, prior to the student undertaking clinical hours with that external supervisor.
   
   
5. External supervisors may be any accredited TCM practitioner, however attention will need to be paid by the Institute and students as to the excessive or insufficient emphasis of clinical work in either Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine or Tui na, according to the students study program.
   
   
6. Clinic Practicum will be divided into 4 stages of development and students will be identified as Grades 1 to 4, and will only be permitted to perform tasks that prepare them up to the next stage of assessment.
   
   
7. Students will be assessed on their knowledge and application of practical skills pertaining to each stage of development. Assessments will be on going and at the end of each stage of development.
   
   
8. Students must exhibit a satisfactory rate of progress through the various stages. If they cannot maintain a satisfactory rate of progress they will be required to repeat some clinical hours until a satisfactory level has been attained, before they can proceed to the next stage.
   
   
9. There will be a required minimum number of hours completed in each stage. External clinical hours will only be credited in Grades 2, 3, 4. Grade 4 students must complete all credited hours within the Institute clinic.
   
   
10. Only the appointed Institute clinic supervisors will perform all assessments for the various grades, or examiners appointed by the Institute.
    
    
11. Should a student fails to achieve at a pass level, any grade or assessment, then the student should complete a minimum of 30 hours extra clinical supervision at the level required before undertaking a re-assessment. The Institute reserves the right to levy an extra charge for this assessment and the extra clinical hours.
    
    
12. Students will be required to keep a logbook of their clinical hours, dated and signed by their supervisor and recorded as approved purposes before each stage of assessment.
    
    
13. Students are required to be on time for the start of clinic. Students arriving late or leaving early should explain why to the clinic supervisor, whereby he/she will only accredit students with the time they have spent in clinic. Excessively late arrivals and early departures may adversely affect the student assessment.
    
    
14. Students attire should reflect a professional attitude that recognises the high standards expected of future traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. Students are required to wear an approved white dust coat and a Institute name badge. If a student is unsure of what is acceptable they should discuss the matter with their clinic supervisor.

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