CCNM Christmas Play

Come out and support the graduating class of 2011 who brings you the original holiday play, Jingle Bell Rock - A CCNM Holiday Tale, on Thursday Dec. 2, 2010 and Friday December 3, 2010. Doors open at 7pm with the play starting promptly at 8:00pm (Location: Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine). Tickets on sale at CCNM for $10 in advance and $15 at the door. VIP tickets are available for $25, which includes premium seating, wine and cheese during the performance. See you all there for an epic evening of Rock and Roll and Holiday Spirit!

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Resisting Burn-Out

As my  posts have slowly dwindled to a monthly endeavor, I feel the need to come clean about the toll this program has taken on my enthusiasm for extracurricular - even naturopathic related - activities.  Nearly every day for the last month or so seems to be a struggle to resist burn-out.  Unfortunately, it appears as if this is a common theme with this years' graduating class possibly due to several new program requirements.  Even within the last week, one of my colleagues started a new club where we have the opportunity to support each other and discuss ways to make positive changes.

I met a transfer student the other day who did one year of naturopathic medicine at Bastyr University and I was surprised to hear that the students there are possibly more stressed-out than at CCNM.  I didn't think that was possible!  How does the school maintain enrollment?  I am sure that Bastyr's campus located within a state park is helpful.  The thought of a state park...as great as the Paracelsus Herb garden is, and the Don Valley located across the street from CCNM, they are not a substitute for a state park.

I think Christmas will be my solace and I am certainly looking forward to a couple of weeks of bliss away from the busyness of Toronto. 

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Here to Stay

Today I took my family to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.  It was at least 15 years since I was there last, at that time with my siblings and parents.  The fair is a celebration of agriculture in Ontario where awards are presented to the finest specimens of farm produce and animals and includes a number of fantastic animal shows.  Complementing the food and agricultural theme this year was the “Journey to Your Good Health” educational presentations. Although much of the fair was the same as I remembered it from years ago, I was also aware of increased visibility of natural health products slowly permeating the conventional world and was happy to see a naturopathic doctor answering questions as part of a forum of health professionals.

Remember, we vote with our dollar.  So, support those small, local, environmentally conscious agricultural companies when you can - ensure they are here to stay.

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Maintaining Mentorship

Most highly skilled professions have some framework of mentorship set in place to ensure that things which are not easily picked up in the classroom, or from reading a book, are taught in a practical setting. Naturopathic Medicine is no different. Mentorship maintained naturopathic medicine in the United States in the years following the 1910 Flexner Report when naturopathic schools could not afford to operate (the Flexner Report also shut down many "diploma mills" and substandard medical schools which was a positive outcome. Unfortunately though, the recommendations were to only fund schools with a pharmacological and technological focus).

Mentorship at CCNM begins in 1st year as new students are introduced to the teaching clinic with days spent shadowing their supervisor. Second and third year students get more involved with patients each year as clinical supervisors and 4th year interns take mentoring roles. There are certainly times where patients are surprised at the additional students that come into the treatment room and occasionally, the 4th year intern is inadvertently put in the hot-seat with all eyes on her or him. At these times, there is the potential for everyone involved to share an awkward moment.

My love for teaching and background in instructing usually dissolves my concerns about others watching me in clinic. Additionally, I recognize that I am not perfect at this yet and I may say the wrong thing or make a small mistake with someone else watching. However, as the mentor, it can still be an additional source of stress.

I wonder if this change in dynamic is currently making it very difficult for some students to fulfill another type of required mentorship called preceptorship. This is where students spend time with a ND, DC, MD or physiotherapist in their private practice (or hospital). If you are currently a student in naturopathic medicine, here are a few points to consider when being mentored:

1. Firstly, if at all possible, pick a mentor who's style of practice you like. This is very important for preceptoring and will eliminate many unforeseen disharmonies and make for a much more enjoyable day.
2. Recognize your mentor's strengths. Certainly there are times when you may learn how NOT to practice but try to glean the best of what the mentor is offering.
3. Show appreciation. This is so important in order to successfully continue a constructive and receptive attitude towards mentorship and maintain the philosophy of passing down knowledge to the betterment of the profession.

Residency is another type of mentorship offered to naturopathic graduates and I hope to write about this at a later date.

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Slow Down!

Three years ago my wife flew into Toronto from Calgary (while I was finishing my undergraduate degree) and she picked the apartment we would be living at during the next 4 years of school at CCNM. On arriving a month later, I was so impressed with her choice as she selected a location with the beautiful Don Valley literally off our balcony. The Don Valley has hiking trails, mature maple forests and the Don rivers. It could be the most beautiful place except the high traffic brings in unappreciative guests. My wife and I spent many of our first hikes with a garbage bag in hand just attempting to clean up our little area. However, the Don Valley was still my temporary substitute for the wilderness I enjoy.
Recently though, my wilderness substitute seems to be mirroring my cumulative impressions of the largest city in Canada. Even nature seems to be telling me it is time to move on as the Black Swallow Wort (a predator invasive species) has multiplied beyond control choking out the indigenous plant species and my enjoyment of the valley at the same time. Also, the poison ivy proliferated exceptionally well this year and seems to be telling me that my time in the Don Valley is over.

The city of Toronto has many forms of exceptional entertainment including cultural & educational experiences. While living here, I have tried to take in as many of these things as possible. Too often though, I find people are in a rush. What's worse is it is often an angry rush! This was highlighted in recent research that demonstrated the traffic conditions in Toronto are negatively contributing to people's health.

If you are beginning to notice the rush, I want to tell you about the Evergreen Brickworks Slow Food Picnic. This event pairs local producers with Toronto's healthy minded food retailers & restaurants. Chefs cook gourmet food right in front of you to sample in a savory environment of appreciation for good food (Watch for this event next year and be sure to get a ticket). Below is a picture of me representing Mountain Lake Bison Range with Chef Maxine and Dave & Mario of the Healthy Butcher. This event reminded me that it doesn't matter where you are, where there are good people and a good cause, there can be moments of solace even in the largest city in Canada.

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Thorough Competency

Over the last three years of writing this blog and speaking with potential students, I have had many people express their fears about the unknown journey into naturopathic medicine. How difficult is the program? Since you learn so many things, is it possible to be effective at anything? Is it really harder than conventional medical school? Do you learn enough science? Is the art of medicine still taught?

I understand where these questions stem from as I certainly had many of them before entering the program. Although there is absolutely no substitute for experience, and everyone’s experience is different, one of my supervisors recently showed us five categories of competencies expected from naturopathic doctors by the American Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC). I found it interesting to see AANMC sum up everything we do into 5 areas and I thought I would share them with you.

Here is the Professional Competency Profile of a Naturopathic Doctor:

1. Naturopathic Medical Expert

• Integrate naturopathic philosophy, theory and principles with naturopathic medical knowledge in the care of patients and case management including the assessment, diagnostic and treatment phases.

• Develop, maintain and value a comprehensive knowledge base in naturopathic medicine.

• Conduct an assessment to formulate a naturopathic medical diagnosis.

• Effectively provide and manage patient care.

2. Naturopathic Manager

• Develop and maintain relationships in practice and the community consistent with the philosophy and principles of naturopathic medicine.

• Establish, develop and manage a practice.

• Exhibit strong personal management skills.

3. Naturopathic Professional

• Utilize knowledge of naturopathic history, principles and philosophy to guide professional engagement and development.

• Demonstrate ethics and integrity in professional practice and personal conduct.

• Serve the public through ethical practice, health promotion and disease prevention.

• Ensure professional competence through ongoing self-assessment and professional development.

4. Naturopathic Health Scholar

• Exemplify the principle of doctor as teacher in every patient and public interaction.

• Maintain and enhance professional competence through ongoing learning activities.

• Critically evaluate medical information.

• Educate patients, colleagues, other health-care providers and the public.

• Advance the practice of naturopathic medicine through the development, critical assessment and dissemination of research and information.

5. Naturopathic Health Advocate

• Promote the principles and philosophy of naturopathic medicine in advocating for sustainable, healthy environments and lifestyles for patients and society.

• Reflect a knowledge base that enables effective health advocacy.

• Influence others in accepting naturopathic medicine as an essential element in health promotion and disease prevention.

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New Beginnings

As I came in to the school this week I saw a sea of new faces excitedly awaiting their journey in naturopathic medical school. CCNM is now set to graduate the most students per year of all the accredited naturopathic colleges in North America. I clearly remember how exciting that first month of school was and how it was such a paradigm shift for many people depending on their background. Very soon though, it becomes a lot of stress and an unbelievable amount of work. Even with the added responsibility that comes with treating patients as an intern, I would not trade those 1st year students places for anything!

As the summer comes to a close, it is easy for me to nostalgically look backwards instead of looking forward to the new beginnings I have too. For me, this is the last September I will ever be in school as next year my wife and I will be busy preparing to set up our practice. Also, next Monday the 4th year interns begin a series of new classes (ethics/jurisprudence, practice management, in office procedures) that prepare us to write our final board exams and ultimately for practice. More importantly, the fall brings many new patients to the clinic who either felt better through the warm, sunny months or obligations and distractions delayed them from addressing their health concerns until now.

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