CURRICULUM & COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Term 1

DAC 7101 – 3 Credits – Leadership in Integrative Medicine  

DAC 7102 – 3 Credits – Medical Research Methodology

DAC 7103 – 3 Credits – Biomedical Diagnostics: Imaging Studies and Laboratory Values

Term 1 Total: 6 Credits 

Term 2 

DAC 7201 – 3 Credits – Career and Professional Development: Advancement & Options  

DAC 7202 – 3 Credits – Healthcare Systems and Systems-Based Practice

Term 2 Total: 6 Credits

Term 3 

DAC 7301 – 3 Credits –  Nourishing Life: Integrative Medicine for Community Health and Wellness

DAC 7302 – 3 Credits – East meets West: Clinical Collaboration and Cooperation -75 hours**

DAC 7303 – 3 Credits – Research Proposals: From Creation to Publication

Term 3 Total: 9 Credits

**Note: Course DAC 7302 consists of one didactic credit and 2 clinical credits

3DAC 7101 Leadership in Integrative Medicine  
3 Credits 
Professional leadership skills can impact patient outcomes, employee satisfaction, work productivity, and profitability in an acupuncture office. This course explores the importance of integrative medicine leadership in the healthcare setting. Critical analysis of the components of effective leadership is studied and the need for developing a strong leadership plan is explored. The student will gain knowledge of the various types of medical leadership systems including collegial, practice and employee, and patient leadership methods.

DAC 7102 Medical Research Methodology 
3 Credits 
Research methodology including conception, design, execution, analysis, publication, and reporting of research is an essential component of the doctorally prepared acupuncturist’s training. This course enables understanding of research methods and results of various types of study designs from observational to experimental. Methods such as formulating research study objectives, assessing researchability, creating a research question and hypothesis, project planning, data collection and analysis, presentation, and publication are presented. Ethical challenges in research are also discussed. Additionally, the assessment of medical research and the challenges in evaluating acupuncture and East Asian medical practices are examined.

DAC 7103 Biomedical Diagnostics: Imaging Studies and Laboratory Values
3 Credits 
The doctorally prepared acupuncturist or East Asian medicine clinician must have the ability to interpret Western biomedical laboratory values and imaging study reports for improved patient outcomes. This course presents the clinical selection and application of biomedical assessment and diagnostic testing methods. Imaging studies, biomedical laboratory values, and health screening methods are discussed. Clinical interpretation and assessment of written diagnostic reports including the range of values that distinguish normal from abnormal findings and testing limitations are reviewed. Appropriate and effective communication with other health care providers regarding the results of diagnostic studies is stressed.

DAC 7201 Career and Professional Development: Advancement & Options 
3 Credits 
Professional development, including practice-based learning (PBL), is a critical aspect of a clinician’s professional experience. In this course, sources of ongoing professional development are explored including continuing education, teaching, training, language translation, research, business leadership, herbal and acupuncture supply and equipment sales, health coach consulting, and medical writing. Engagement of healthcare informatics and emerging technology systems for information access and management is discussed. Additionally, the course explores the life-long skills of assessing professional development needs and utilizing professional development resources to allow the student to respond to changes in the local, state, regional, and national health care environment.

DAC 7202 (3 credits) Healthcare Systems and Systems-Based Practice 
3 Credits
The World Health Organization defines a healthcare system as one that “consists of all organizations, people and actions whose primary intent is to promote, restore or maintain health”. This course explores the systems-based role of the AOM professional within a multitude of healthcare settings. Practitioners of acupuncture, East Asian medicine, and integrative healthcare are expected to utilize systems-based practice (SBP) methodology. These methods promote the delivery of patient care that is safe, optimal, and high in quality. Students will obtain a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. healthcare systems and SBP methodology from an AOM perspective with an emphasis on understanding impact on patient care.

DAC 7301 Nourishing Life: Integrative Medicine for Community Health and Wellness 
3 Credits
Yang sheng, or nourishing life, is an ancient natural health promotion concept in Chinese medicine. Conversely, the Western biomedical practice of public health promotion emerged in the 18th century. Both traditions seek to promote health and both seek to increase a healthy lifespan and longevity. This course explores the core ideas of Western public health and Chinese Yang Sheng, seeking both contrasts and similarities. The student will also gain an appreciation of the U.S. public health system in relation to how nourishing life has been promoted through Western medicine as well as through complementary and alternative medicine methods.

DAC 7302  East Meets West: Clinical Collaboration and Cooperation
3 Credits (Includes 1 didactic credit for 15 hours and 2 clinical credits for 60 hours- total 75 hours) 
Can acupuncturists work collaboratively and effectively with Western physicians and medical professionals? Yes they can! This course creates the opportunity for the student to learn solid collaboration, communication, and cooperation skills that promote collegiality with Western medical professionals. Students will share clinical time and observation with either licensed biomedical professionals (e.g. M.D, N.P., P.A. or Nurse Clinicians) and/or complementary or allied healthcare professionals (OT, PT, Midwife, Naturopath, or Chiropractor) over a 60-hour time period. The student will prepare case studies and patient narratives that discuss patient cases from both a Western and an Eastern perspective within the context of evidence-based medicine and evidence- informed practice. Students will participate in asynchronous peer discussions during the period of clinical observation.

DAC 7303 Research Proposals: From Creation to Publication
3 Credits 
Through the creation of an actual research proposal, this course provides students a working knowledge of professional development through research, evidence based medicine (EBM), and evidence informed practice. Students learn the skills necessary to create, evaluate, and apply evidence to solving clinical problems in acupuncture and AOM practice. Critically appraised topics, randomized control trials (RCT), systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and real-life case reports will be used as the backbone of this course to assist the student in analyzing information and data to justify the treatments used in clinical practice. Basic statistical research methods are identified and discussed. The understanding and application of statistics and data mining is reviewed.