ONTARIO COLLEGE OF HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE

CLINICAL INTERNSHIP

We take clinical training very seriously at OCHM and are extremely proud of the quality of the clinical experience our students undergo. Most homeopathic schools do not offer a similar kind of hands-on clinical training, leaving student unprepared to actually practice upon completion of their program.

Our clinical internship program is available to students who have completed homeopathic training elsewhere and are lacking in case-taking experience, or those who need a bit more clinical preparation before launching their own homeopathic career.

The clinical program at OCHM is divided into 4 segments:

Clinic 1 is comprised of a minimum of 5 video and paper cases and guidelines for writing up the cases, introducing the student to the basic concepts of case analysis. This clinical component is completed as an independent/distant learning module.

Clinic 2, 3 and 4 take place in our on-site student clinic. There is always a highly experienced supervisor present in clinic. The scaffolded nature of our clinical program means that the most advanced students are the actual case-takers, with other students supporting them or observing. The Supervisor is present to assist and guide student case-takers to the extent that is needed, and to lead the discussions about cases with the students – using the case-taking experience as an opportunity for actual, real-life learning experiences. In this way, students in clinic see a wide variety of cases from acute to chronic and across a wide spectrum of patients.

Clinic 2: Observation – a minimum of 10 new patient cases and 10 follow-ups, 5 of which are for cases seen as new patients are required in this module. Case write-up guidelines for observers are expected to exhibit a greater degree of analysis than in Clinic 1. While Observation students are not expected to contribute to the case-taking, but may, in some instances, be asked if they have a question they would like to ask of the patient. Observation students are encouraged to contribute their thoughts on case analysis during discussion of the case.

Clinic 3: Secondary Case-Taker – a minimum of 10 new patient cases and 10 follow-ups, 5 of which are for cases seen as new patients are required for this module. Case write-up guidelines for Secondary Case-Takers demand an even greater degree of analysis than in Clinic 2. Secondary Case-Takers are expected to contribute to the discussion of the patient case in a more fulsome manner. They are expected to check that all administrative work is completed on the case and may be offered an opportunity to ask follow-up questions of the patient. Secondary case-takers may be asked to take over a case if the Primary case-taker has graduated or is unavailable for clinic.

Clinic 4: Primary Case-Taker — a minimum of 20 new patient cases and 40 follow-ups, 3 follow ups for 10 of which are for cases seen as new patients are required for this module. Primary Case-Takers are expected to provide a comprehensive analysis of the case and to manage the case going forward. Primary case takers are fully responsible for the taking of the patient’s case, although the supervisor may guide a newer case taker, or step in if a complicated or challenging situation arises. Primary case-takers act as professional homeopaths in their management of the case, although they are not allowed to have unsupervised access to patients until they are fully registered with the College of Homeopaths of Ontario.

Many of our Primary Case-Takers chose to do many more than the minimum amount of cases listed here. As long as we are able to accommodate, students are welcome to continue taking cases under the guidance of our clinical supervisors until they feel ready to break out on their own.

Primary case-takers often develop close ties with their patients and are welcome to invite their patients to follow them once they leave the student clinic to set up their own practice. This can be a nice start to establishing a dedicated patient base.