What is that, is it light I see?
Wow, it is Dec 2007 already.
In Jan 2005, I started this long, uphill, trek of education and enlightenment.
The WSCC program is long and arduous. It is a demanding and grueling program. (As my SIL, mrs. vaxhacker likes to say, it SHOULD be, you are going to be a DOCTOR!). During the course of this program several transitions occur. The first phase is the basic sciences program. A good year and a half learning about cells, microbes, body parts and genes. A good history of college education prepares you for this part. Any good college student can do well during this part. I should mention that to ENTER chiropractic college, you must have at least 3 years of college already and have maintained a C+ average and have completed several specific science courses. At the end of which is Part I of the 4 part National Boards. The NBCE has just started to offer a C-CAT exam, similar to the M-CAT for medical schools. It hasn't caught on as of yet, but I project that in the next 5 years or so, a minimum score will be required at most Chiropractic colleges.
The next phase is the clinical preparation phase. Another good year and a half of taking the previous material learning to have it make sense in a clinical setting. Learning how to be a DR. Learning about diseases, conditions, exams and sensitivity and specificity. During and at the conclusion of this phase there are many hurdles to overcome including maintaining a minimum of a C GPA (in fact not having ANY grades below a C), passing several 'high stakes' exams and Part II and III (and for some the Physical Therapy exam) of the 4 part national boards. You must also have accomplished many exams, both clinical and laboratory. You have to have seen so many patients in the student clinic and have analyzed a certain number of ancillary studies (blood draws, UA's, x-rays, etc). You must have performed a certain number of them yourselves. Many of the exams you would expect; physicals (including BP and eye and ear exams; yes I have my own stethoscope and know how to use it.), back exams, biomechanical exams, gait analysis, etc. Some you may not expect from a Chiropractor such as male and female pelvic exams. Some on plastic models, some on live models.
Then comes the third phase of the program. The clinic experience. This is where we take the information that we have assimilated over the preceding 3 years and have 9 months to put it to use on the general public (under the guidance of a licensed chiropractor). This is where we prove that we have learned all the aforementioned knowledge. This is where the light at the end of the tunnel comes into view. Whether or not it is the sun coming up over the horizon in a glorious sunrise or it is the bright light of an oncoming locomotive is still yet to be determined. 10th Quarter is the dividing line between the clinic phase and what has come before. Dec 14th was the last day of 9th Quarter for me. Jan 7 2008 I start 10th Quarter. And six months later I get to find a chiropractor in the field who I can put in another 3 months as an Intern. During this time the final part of the 4 part national boards have to be passed. After all this time I graduate as a Doctor of Chiropractic and can hang up my 'shingle' and will be a Doctor.
There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope.
Bern Williams
I should like to mention that MDs only have 2 parts of a national board to pass. I won't get into my rant on the similarities and differences between MDs and DCs here, that is for another time.
In Jan 2005, I started this long, uphill, trek of education and enlightenment.
The WSCC program is long and arduous. It is a demanding and grueling program. (As my SIL, mrs. vaxhacker likes to say, it SHOULD be, you are going to be a DOCTOR!). During the course of this program several transitions occur. The first phase is the basic sciences program. A good year and a half learning about cells, microbes, body parts and genes. A good history of college education prepares you for this part. Any good college student can do well during this part. I should mention that to ENTER chiropractic college, you must have at least 3 years of college already and have maintained a C+ average and have completed several specific science courses. At the end of which is Part I of the 4 part National Boards. The NBCE has just started to offer a C-CAT exam, similar to the M-CAT for medical schools. It hasn't caught on as of yet, but I project that in the next 5 years or so, a minimum score will be required at most Chiropractic colleges.
The next phase is the clinical preparation phase. Another good year and a half of taking the previous material learning to have it make sense in a clinical setting. Learning how to be a DR. Learning about diseases, conditions, exams and sensitivity and specificity. During and at the conclusion of this phase there are many hurdles to overcome including maintaining a minimum of a C GPA (in fact not having ANY grades below a C), passing several 'high stakes' exams and Part II and III (and for some the Physical Therapy exam) of the 4 part national boards. You must also have accomplished many exams, both clinical and laboratory. You have to have seen so many patients in the student clinic and have analyzed a certain number of ancillary studies (blood draws, UA's, x-rays, etc). You must have performed a certain number of them yourselves. Many of the exams you would expect; physicals (including BP and eye and ear exams; yes I have my own stethoscope and know how to use it.), back exams, biomechanical exams, gait analysis, etc. Some you may not expect from a Chiropractor such as male and female pelvic exams. Some on plastic models, some on live models.
Then comes the third phase of the program. The clinic experience. This is where we take the information that we have assimilated over the preceding 3 years and have 9 months to put it to use on the general public (under the guidance of a licensed chiropractor). This is where we prove that we have learned all the aforementioned knowledge. This is where the light at the end of the tunnel comes into view. Whether or not it is the sun coming up over the horizon in a glorious sunrise or it is the bright light of an oncoming locomotive is still yet to be determined. 10th Quarter is the dividing line between the clinic phase and what has come before. Dec 14th was the last day of 9th Quarter for me. Jan 7 2008 I start 10th Quarter. And six months later I get to find a chiropractor in the field who I can put in another 3 months as an Intern. During this time the final part of the 4 part national boards have to be passed. After all this time I graduate as a Doctor of Chiropractic and can hang up my 'shingle' and will be a Doctor.
There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope.
Bern Williams
I should like to mention that MDs only have 2 parts of a national board to pass. I won't get into my rant on the similarities and differences between MDs and DCs here, that is for another time.