The NCCAOM has responded to community concerns about changes to their testing procedures.
Here is an explanation of why they needed to change to limited testing windows and delays in providing preliminary results, along with a statement that they will delay this change to 2020. They will also work with the schools to set the testing windows to coordinate with graduation dates. Please do read it so you understand why these (temporary) changes will happen.
And here is the FAQ regarding the elimination of the Pre-graduation eligibility route. The date for this change is still September 1, 2018, and the FAQ isn’t quite so transparent. I do understand that the NCCAOM has to treat all applicants the same. Under the current system students of ACAOM-accredited schools can begin testing prior to graduation, while those in apprenticeship or foreign programs can’t. So, that’s not right. But some of the supposed benefits in the NCCAOM FAQ don’t seem all that beneficial. The answer to Q2 doesn’t actually answer Q2. And could they address the problem with less disruption? Allowing all students to sit all but one exam prior to graduation might address some of the problems mentioned by the NCCAOM without leaving new graduates in limbo for quite so long.
Here are some interesting links in no particular order. The issues may not be directly related to the acupuncture profession, but affect the bigger ecosystem.
A Dark Side of Chinese Medicine
Results of VT Medicaid Pilot Project using Acupuncture
The Value of the Doctor-Patient Relationship
For Fun if You are in New York City
Increasing Tuition at For-Profit Schools as GI Benefit Grows
Healthcare for those with Disabilities
Family Physicians on Nurse Practitioner Scope
Occupational Licensing for those with Criminal Records
Thanks for the post; very informative.