The Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM), in response to ongoing discussion within the acupuncture and Oriental medicine community, has invited individuals and organizations to submit written position papers and implementation proposals for possible changes in entry-level standards to the professions of independent Oriental medicine provider and independent acupuncture provider. The following press release details the CCAOM's position paper process, and includes contact information for those interested in sharing their ideas with the Council.
Call for Position Papers and Implementation Proposals
The mission of the CCAOM is to advance acupuncture and Oriental medicine by promoting educational excellence within the field. The philosophy of the Council is based on respect for the broad range of traditions of acupuncture and Oriental medicine and a commitment to academic freedom.
The Council of Colleges, responding to discussion within the acupuncture and Oriental medicine profession, adopted the following resolution on May 1, 2003:
The Council establishes an ad hoc Entry-Level Standards Committee to solicit proposals/visions from the acupuncture and Oriental medicine community for possible changes to entry-level standards. By October 15, 2003, the ad hoc Entry-Level Standards Committee will develop and begin to implement a plan for soliciting these proposals for implementation of possible changes in entry level to the profession of the independent Oriental medicine provider and independent acupuncture provider (for example, 10/15 years respectively for a doctorate). In order to enable all the colleges to participate fully and openly in this process, the Council reaffirms its support for the Master's degree level as entry level during this process.
We welcome individuals and organizations to submit a written position paper and implementation proposal for possible changes in entry-level to the profession of independent Oriental medicine provider and independent acupuncture provider. The current standard is entry-level with a Master's level education.
The Council of Colleges wishes to engage in an open process to share the vision from your perspective of any proposed changes to entry-level into these professions.
We ask that your proposal include:
We invite you to comment on the sociological, economic, professional, cultural, political, and/or public health impact your vision might have on the acupuncture and Oriental medicine profession, the larger health care community, students and patients.
Please include an executive summary of your proposal (no longer than 250 words).
Please submit your proposal by March 31, 2004 to the Entry-Level Standards Committee of the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at ccaom@aol.com.
Summaries of proposals will be published on the Council's Web site (www.ccaom.org) after June 1, 2004.
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