Admissions
Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid
Entry Requirements
Catalog
Application
Contact Admissions
Housing

Our Programs
MSTOM
Asian Body Therapy
DAOM
Public Education + Non Matric

About us
Mission Statement
Accreditation
Awards & Recognition
The Profession
FAQ's

A Closer Look
Meet Our Faculty
Clinical Training
Student for a Day
Dates to Remember
Open Houses
Our Campuses

Search This Site

Site Map

Links

UCSD Free Clinics Project at First Lutheran Church

"I have had the privilege of working downtown on both of these shifts and would recommend them to any PCOM student interested in broadening his/her understanding and practice of Oriental medicine. You will grow in skill and understanding in areas you may never be exposed to if you only remain at the school clinic or treat friends in your age group. Here we see a wide variety of ages and cases involving serious diseases, chronic degenerative conditions, a broad spectrum of mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse, physical trauma and recovery among those living life day-to-day on the streets.

The supervisors are genuinely committed to serving this population and are involved in community efforts to broaden the scope of services offered. They have to work fast due to the large number of patients seen each shift, so there is not always time for detailed discussion. You learn to set up the clinic, diagnose and treat effectively in a "real-world" setting, usually seeing four patients per shift…sometimes more! However, time is scheduled before and after each shift where everyone participates in discussing cases; this gives you time to catch up on any questions you may have for the supervisor about specific cases or Oriental medicine in general.

I chose these clinics specifically because I felt that I had done about everything one can do as an Assistant at the school clinic on Intern shifts. Because there are usually only one or two Assistants and a few Interns, you can see as many patients as you want to…help is always needed. I DO miss the exposure to herbs at the school clinic (there is no herb room at this site). But I HAVE made tremendous strides in my understanding and practice of acupuncture, as it is a "total immersion" process if you have to treat with needles alone! So it is definitely a fair trade.

I believe if you do one or two of these shifts as a late-stage Assistant or first-time Intern you will really "hit the ground running" when you get back to the school and start Interning. I have a lot of confidence in my ability now, especially intake, time management and patient relations…that I would never have gotten elsewhere. It is very satisfying to help these people and have them come back asking for you and tell you they had a much better week thanks to your treatment."

Steven Rosenthal - Assistant