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Since November 2002, the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) has engaged in a process to evaluate the likelihood that the AOM profession might eventually transition to a first professional doctorate (FPD) for entry into the profession.
The AOM community has been discussing over a period of time the issue of AOM practitioners being recognized as Oriental medicine and acupuncture doctors. Several health care practitioners have already adopted the doctor title, including physical therapists, chiropractors, nurses, and naturopaths. Many allied health care professions now have their four-year training programs recognized as first professional doctorates.
In February 2008, after convening a task force to develop standards for the first professional doctorate, holding public hearings and reviewing feedback, the ACAOM concluded that consensus was not unanimous in the AOM community regarding the development of the FPD.
“Once consensus is reached within the profession, the Commission will renew its efforts to develop and subsequently pilot standards, policies and procedures for first professional doctoral programs in AOM as entry-level into the profession,” states the Winter 2008 ACAOM newsletter.
Most recently, last January the Community Acupuncture Network board of directors voted unanimously to oppose a new doctorate degree for acupuncture and Oriental medicine on the grounds that such a move would be detrimental to practitioners, patients and the profession.
“Increased educational requirements ultimately mean fewer practitioners charging more money, and that means even less care for all of the people who need it the most,” says Lisa Rohleder, founder of CAN and co-owner of Working Class Acupuncture in Portland, Oregon.
Renewal of efforts to develop the FPD would require consensus from the AOM community and support from the ACAOM and AAAOM to recreate a discussion forum.
For the first professional doctorate, the ACAOM considered the requirements for a changing set of cultural needs for AOM practitioners entering the market over the next 20 years. These include the Institute of Medicine core competencies for all 21st century health professions.
The FPD would entail four to five years of study, with students graduating with a first professional doctorate as the entry requirement into the AOM profession. Previously licensed acupuncturists could possibly be offered a transition doctorate which takes into account their practice experience. AOM education would continue to offer a postgraduate doctorate (DAOM) with concentration in specializations, teaching, research, and integrative medicine.
The proposed FPD builds on the present four-year master’s standards by adding additional professional competencies. Program entrance requirements would increase from the present two years of undergraduate study to three years.
The program would provide advanced training in core didactic and clinical areas with emphasis on clinical assessment and diagnosis. To persons graduating from the FPD, the degree Doctor of Acupuncture (D.Ac.) would be awarded for an acupuncture program and the degree Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (D.AOM) would be awarded for an Oriental Medicine program.
ACAOM’s standards for the FPD to date consist of programs that provide at least 790 hours of clinical training for a D.Ac. program and at least 1000 hours for a D.AOM program. AOM treatment would include the use of acupuncture including electrical, magnetic and laser stimulation, moxibustion, bleeding, cupping, gua sha, Oriental bodywork therapy, Tai Chi, qigong, nutrition, lifestyle recommendations, and herbal therapy.
For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso, Admissions Director, at (305) 595-9500.
