SP 6011 Advanced Clinical Assessment in Integrative TCM Practice

SP 6014 Holistic Pain Management Practice 

SP 6036 Integrative Medical Practice

RQ 0145 Practice-Based Learning and Improvement

In the specialty track, students may select courses from the clinical specialty DAOM curriculum they wish to take and that are not already included in the DAcCHM curriculum. Courses include leadership, teaching and learning, and a variety of topics within the specialty of pain and associated eco-psychosocial phenomena. A scholarly product from each course becomes a portfolio item. 

SP 6010 Biomedical Theories on Meridians and Qi

SP 6020 TCM Classics and Advanced TCM Theory

SP 6021 Advanced Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques

SP 7010 Musculoskeletal Disorders

SP7011 Neurology, Dermatology, and Sensory Organs

SP 7012 Eco-Psychosocial

SP 7017 TCM Internal Medicine

SP 7020 Special Elective Topics

        Oncologic Disorders and Palliative Care

        Psychiatric Comorbidities of Pain

        Dermatology

        Sports Medicine

        Advanced Channel Theory

In the community impact track, students may select relevant courses from the clinical specialty DAOM curriculum, Externships and/or Interprofessional Leadership that they wish to learn to support a specific community or community-centered health project. Upon institutional acceptance, students will implement a QIP and report on its outcomes. 

In the honors concentration track, students develop a self-study curriculum in an area not currently available at AOMA, including learning objectives, methods, and means of the final assessment. After faculty approval of the plan, the student may proceed. A formal presentation and a manuscript written for peer-review publication submission will be required and included in their portfolio. 

24/0/0/2  Pre-req.: none

Terms Offered: Spans Summer–Fall

This is an advanced course of in-depth study into the modern perspectives and emerging research into the underlying foundations and mechanisms of acupuncture. Pain and emotional conditions are multi-faceted, as is the management of them with a wide array of tools and methods. As new research is published, concepts of meridians and qi continue to evolve from microbiology, biochemistry, and biophysics viewpoints. Anatomical and physiological principles will be discussed from both conventional biomedical and TCM models to foment integration of thought and theory. Course assignments will encourage students to develop, write, and defend their own theory while developing basic research skills. 

18/18/0/3  DAcCHM Pre-req.: WS0292, WS0310, WS0311

Terms Offered: Spans Summer–Fall

This course builds on the master’s physical assessment and biomedical diagnostic courses by expanding on the interpretation of laboratory tests, imaging, and physical exams that can be used in an integrative TCM practice setting. Clinical indications for these exams and assessments, including risks and benefits, will be identified in the context of common disorders from an integrative medical perspective. The principles and application of laboratory tests as well as diagnostic tests and exams will be explored, including diagnostic equipment, diagnostic imaging, and functional physical assessments. Learners will review written diagnostic reports with associated patient cases, distinguish between normal and abnormal findings, and incorporate findings into their objective and subjective assessment of the patient. This course will prepare learners to effectively communicate the findings of advanced clinical and diagnostic assessments with patients as well as other licensed healthcare practitioners.

18/18/0/3  Pre-req.: SP6011

Terms Offered: Spans Winter–Spring

This course advances knowledge in the areas of diagnosis and treatment. Contemporary and traditional approaches to assessment related to psychosocial and physical concerns are employed. Classical and contemporary texts are used as a platform to engender relevant treatments in contemporary practice. The literature is used to develop concepts for treating psychosocial disorders and chronic/recurrent and complex conditions using manual therapeutics, medicinals, acupuncture, diet, and exercise. Special diagnostics are advanced in the areas of the tongue, pulse, abdominal, and other assessments. Specialty clinics will build on techniques covered in class as well as those employed by guest lecturers.

36/0/0/3  Co-req: SP SP6011

Terms Offered: Spans Winter–Spring

This course is designed to deepen concepts of integrative medical practice. The course focuses on the unique needs of patients and their cultural and individual beliefs regarding their condition as well as about health, illness, and treatment. Course content will include case management processes, patient-centered plans of care, recordkeeping, ethical practice, and inquiry skills in the clinical practice arena. The course will cover ethical and legal aspects of medical recordkeeping, strategies for creating economic and professional success, and the development of interprofessional and collaborative relationships. Students will generate case reports and case presentations and gain skills to establish inter-professional collaborations pertaining to integrative medical practice.

36/0/0/3  Co-req: DAOM SP6011; DAcCHM HT0200, RQ0122

Terms Offered: Spans Winter-Spring

This is an advanced course of in-depth study into the principles and application of nutritional and herbal medicine as well as guided movement exercises and mindfulness for self-improvement. Learners will explore the identification and treatment of nutritional imbalances with advanced

information on functions, deficiency, depletion, and toxicity states of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. This course will train clinicians to properly utilize nutritional and herbal medicine in their clinical practice. A variety of movement exercises and mindfulness activities will focus on improving patients’ lifestyles and habits while developing their self-efficacy through empowerment.

36/0/0/3  Co-req.: SP6011

Terms Offered: Spans Summer–Fall (odd years)

This advanced foundation in TCM history, theory, and classics is an in-depth exploration of acupuncture and herbal theories and strategies, including etiology, pathology, diagnosis, and differentiation, from classics such as the Huang Di Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Internal Classics), the Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold- Induced Diseases), Jin Gui Yao Lue (Golden Chamber), and Zhen Jiu Da Cheng (The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), and other ancient classics, as well as additional advancements cultivated throughout the centuries on patient-centered models of care and associated psychosocial phenomena.

36/0/0/3  Co-req.: SP6011

Terms Offered:  Spans Winter–Spring

This course is an advanced, in-depth exploration of pain and/or disability from acute injury and trauma, as well as from chronic musculoskeletal and autoimmune disorders, along with strategies for effective treatment. In addition, the psychosocial impact of chronic pain disorders and disabilities on patients and their families and common coping mechanisms will be explored. The primary focus will be the treatment of injury to joints, bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and myofascial tissues.

36/0/0/3  Co-req.: SP6011

Terms Offered: Spans Summer–Fall (even years)

This course is an advanced, in-depth exploration of neurologic, sensory, and integumentary disorders and associated psychosocial phenomena. The primary focus will include acute injuries and chronic disorders of the integumentary, neurologic, and sensory organ systems. The course will include TCM theory as it applies to a biomedical understanding of the central, cranial, peripheral, autonomic, and enteric nervous systems.

36/0/0/3  Co-req.: SP6011

Terms Offered: Spans Summer–Fall (odd years)

This course is an advanced, in-depth exploration of somatoform disorders, psychosomatic disorders, and somaticized pain that results from psychosocial disorders, along with effective treatment strategies for these disorders. Rooted in the classical Chinese foundational model, this course explores the continua of biomedical disorders that scale between psyche and soma, internal and external, and the impact of the shock on the various biological systems whether that shock is physical, psychosocial, or ecological.

36/0/0/3  Co-req.: SP6011

Terms Offered: Spans Winter-Spring (odd years)

This course will make an advance inquiry into TCM internal medicine practice. The course will review the etiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, prevalence, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and interpretation of cardio-pulmonary, vascular and lymphatic, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and urogenital disorders. The primary focus of the course will be on advanced TCM theory and approaches to the treatment and management of internal medicine conditions. While not all topics will be covered in the lecture, through written assignments students can explore systems or disorders of their choice to deepen their knowledge in a specific area of study.

12/0/0/1  Co-req.: SP6011

Terms Offered: Spans Summer-Fall (even years)

Every term a topic is offered as a 1 credit course: DAOM students must complete 3 credits.

The specialty practice elective course offers lectures and coursework covering various topics on the integrative medical specialty in pain and psychosocial phenomena associated with pain. Some topics may have two or more parts for more in-depth study across multiple terms.

Topic I: Oncologic Disorders and Palliative Care

Topic II: Psychiatric Comorbidities of Pain

Topic III: Dermatologic Disorders

Topic IV: Sports Medicine

Topic V: Applied Channel Theory for Pain Management

More topics will be added to schedules periodically.

36/0/0/3     

Terms Offered: Spans Summer–Fall

The purpose of the course is to provide students with basic concepts and theories of inter-professional leadership in integrative health and medicine (IHM) and opportunities for skill-building in leadership and problem-solving. A mix of didactic and experiential methods will encourage exploration of inter-professional leadership styles and roles for the TCM-trained leader in integrative health care. The course also focuses on developing professional communication, presentation, and writing skills, and the initiation of the learner’s portfolio project.

24/0/0/2  Prereq.: none

Terms Offered: Spans Summer–Fall (even years)

The purpose of this course is to provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities pertinent to teaching and knowledge transmission. This course focuses on teaching in the health professions and includes curriculum design, development of instructional objectives, teaching methods, and assessment techniques. Additional skills include active learner-based teaching methods, presentation skills, supervising and teaching in clinical settings, educational technology, and patient education.

36/0/0/3  Prereq.: PT0440

This requirement provides a platform for students to develop a self-analysis of practice to identify professional strengths and weaknesses and develop a program of life-long learning to remediate weaknesses and further develop strengths. Working individually or on teams, students will run a need analysis and create a quality improvement project (QIP). Upon institutional acceptance, students will implement their QIP and report on its outcomes. The three credits are spread out one credit at a time over three terms.

0/0/408/17  DAOM Co-req.: SP6031

DAcCHM Co-req.: MAcCHM 2nd  practical  exam  or  completed  master’s  degree

This course consists of 17 credit hours (408 clock hours) of on-site practice at AOMA clinics and with collaborative partnerships. The course focuses on the practical application of advanced clinical skills to the problems and needs of patients experiencing pain and associated psychosocial disorders. It further develops knowledge and skills in relation to collaboration, consultation, and scholarly inquiry to support expertise in pain and psychosocial care. Clinical practice begins in the second week of residence in the doctoral program and continues throughout the course of study to provide direct, immediate application of theory and techniques

0/0/252/7  DAOM Prereq.: SP6036

DAcCHM Prereq.: AT0221 or SP6036

Students will identify their preferred externship sites and present their externship plan for approval. The plan must include a variety of locations, practitioners, and medical modalities in direct connection to the specialty that provides depth and breadth of exposure, as well as collaboration within the community where the student currently practices. Practitioners who provide the learning experience for the candidates must be at a doctoral level or have a terminal degree within their field. Sites may include but are not limited to, pain management clinics, community clinics, private practices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, assisted living or nursing homes, and cancer hospitals. (Externship is optional for DAcCHM students.)