Student Observation Program
Our Observation Program provides students with an opportunity to observe any of our registered health practitioners in action. These are a fantastic opportunity to learn about inter-professional health care and clinic management. Working under the direction of the Director of Clinical Education and their student preceptor, you have the opportunity to explore the scope of practice, clinical procedures and clinical reasoning of the different health professions.
What you can expect when observing:
- A clear run down of the consultation sequence; timing, clinical reasoning behind techniques selected for different types of patients and presenting complaints.
- Monitoring changes made by the treatment; able to understand the changes made to specific tissues or overall condition (this can be hands on during test/retest).
- Small tutorials and reading material to enhance soft and hands on skills such as; communication and reading body language, running on time, how to greet patients in waiting room (one of my favourites and most memorable tutorials) to specific techniques such as soft tissue work and high velocity techniques.
- Rebooking patients – very important to learn why and how many treatments are allocated in for specific conditions.
- Plenty of opportunity for questioning – clinical reasoning, examination and history taking gems and phrases for every day clinic use.
- Observation of different modalities; cementing or learning different styles and techniques. Practitioners will always come and grab you to see interesting cases and findings.
- Clinic culture – Everyone has breaks at the same time. We usually have this time to get to know everyone and classic banter from the cohort. Always a great vibe and environment that you want to be involved with.
- Second opinion policy – you will see senior practitioners still making sure that the treatment and management plan is patient centred. You will get to see how they work closely together and enable you to incorporate other allied health services to enhance the patient’s care.
- Referrals – able to view how/why they conclude their findings and referral onto other professionals and how to make bookings for your clients.
There are many more that can be achieved during observations, your mentor will have your learning objectives which they work very closely to – to ensure that you get the most out of this time. The observations are to reduce the amount of stress when transitioning to practice, time saving tips, clinical expertise and reasoning can be present during your time with us.
To read more on the CCHN philosophy on enhancing continual learning, especially as a soon to be new graduate of osteopathy, please read this research article by Dr Keri Moore, osteopath, and former CCHN Principal Dr BJ Field, osteopath: Enhancing clinical education in the private practice setting: A case study in osteopathy. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine.
Please read our commitment to you, our patients and staff in our research developed with the Department of Health and ANU focusing on keeping allied health open during a pandemic: ANU HHRI_Findings_Factsheet_FINAL
Where to after the Student Observation Program check out our Student Placement Program to continue your journey to a career in allied health.