Phase 3 Internship Policy - Midwest College
Students need to have completed Phase 2 requirements in order to enter Phase 3. The last quarter of Phase 3 must be completed on campus.
The goal of Phase 3 is to allow the student to progressively master the skills and attain the competence needed to practice acupuncture or Oriental Medicine independently. During Phase 3, the student is expected to arrive at the correct diagnosis and construct the appropriate treatment plan with only minimal input from the supervisor.
Emphasis will be placed on gaining skill in more complex treatment techniques. Students are expected to continue to comply with safety standards and clean technique. Student must be able to locate all points without reference to written materials. Student will learn to cultivate the trust and confidence of his or her patients, and to follow through with a course of treatments on assigned patients. In addition, students must continue to work cooperatively with clinical staff, accepting and learning from constructive feedback.
During this Phase, interns take more responsibility in the decision-making process in order to prepare for their own private practice. To complete the acupuncture internship student must have a total of 510 hours and 250 patient treatments with at least 50 different patients accumulated in Phase 2 and 3.
Prerequisites for Admission to Phase 3 internship:
The student must complete a Request for Promotion to New Phase Level form, which will include the following
1. Passing score turned in each quarter.
2. Sufficient attendance.
3. Completion of the Phase 2 Workbook; showing 260 hours and a minimum of 120 patients.
4. Book turned in when completed.
Phase 3 Performance Objectives
· Demonstrates ability to perform an intake physical examination including upper and lower body screening exams if applicable.
· Demonstrates ability to accurately and independently arrive at a TCM diagnosis.
· Able to devise and skillfully administer treatment
· Able to independently construct a treatment plan and evaluate its efficacy.
· Demonstrates skill in needle insertion and manipulation.
· If in the OM program, first experience identifying and recommending herbs.
· Demonstrates professionalism, confidence, and sensitivity to patient needs.
· Completes thorough and accurate documentation: SOAP notes, medical history etc.
· Displays accuracy in point location without consulting texts and charts.
· Cooperates with supervisors; acts as a mentor to “junior” interns.
· Demonstrates critical thinking in pattern differentiation, symptom analysis, and selection of treatment.
Phase 3 Evaluation and Grading Process:
1. Each quarter students are graded on ten performance objectives.
Phase 3 Completion requirements for all students:
1. Passing score turned in each quarter.
2. Sufficient attendance.
3. Completion of the Phase 3 Workbook; showing 250 hours and a minimum of 130 patients treated.
4. Book turned in when completed.
Phase 3 Completion requirements for Acupuncture Program students:
A minimum of:
a) 660 hours
b) 250 treatments
c) 50 different patients treated
Assessing Quality of Life (QoL) A new measurement added to all intern workbooks in 2007
Many patients present with conditions which have dramatically decreased the quality of their life. For example, arthritis patients may not be able to put on jewelry; they may have difficulty opening bottles. Diabetic patients with neuropathy may no longer be able to mow their lawns. Each patient, regardless of their physical condition, may have their activities of daily living (ADL) adversely affected by their illness.
Assessing ADL and quality of life is a common medical practice. It is another way to assess and prove patient progress and improvement in their condition. These numbers will be expected when writing letters of medical necessity to insurance companies and as part of clinical narratives which may be requested by attorneys on behalf of their patients.
Interns will now be required to ask the patient about improvement in the quality of their life as a result of treatment in the clinic. First is an initial quality of life evaluation taken at the first visit. This is measured, like the pain scale, on a 1 to 10 rating. 1 means my quality of life is poor as a result of my condition, 10 means the quality of my life is excellent and could not be better.
During each visit, the intern will remind the patient of their initial number and their last visits number and ask for a new rating. At each visit, the intern will re-record the number from the first visit and the new number in their workbook and on the Intrak computer record.
Most simply, 5 domains are considered when deciding on a number:
Impact of disease on QoL
A 31 year old man who developed ankylosing spondylitis said it totally changed his life. ‘My plans for a career were stifled. I couldn’t move around my house. I became dependent on my parents. I have since become depressed and have stopped my hobbies. The patient rates themselves a 3.
Indications of Improvement in QoL
After receiving acupuncture, my ability to walk improved. While I can no longer play sports, I again am enjoying my hobbies. I can now take short walks and am less depressed. The patient rates themselves a 6.
You may need to help the patient
select a number through discussion.
Close window