Rotation Programs
During the last year of the program, students enter the outpatient clinic environment within Moody Health Center, our on-campus clinic. During this time, in addition to providing care to the general public alongside and under the direct supervision of a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic, student interns are afforded the opportunity to rotate through various internal and external rotation programs. These opportunities provide exposure to a wider array of patients and procedures adding to their clinical education experience.
Interprofessional Education Rotations
The Texas Chiropractic College Interprofessional Education Rotations Program (IPE) has been in existence since 1985. We pride ourselves in training future Doctors of Chiropractic to be an integral part of a multi-disciplinary health care delivery team. This valuable and challenging program allows qualified senior interns to observe medical health care professionals in learning allopathic/osteopathic approaches to patient care. The rotations are designed to promote communication between the medical professional and the chiropractic student intern. The program allows for the exchange of information on diagnosis, treatment and research, while encouraging an appropriate basis for referrals between the professions. TCC student interns rotate through various Houston area doctors’ offices such as orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, sports medicine, rheumatology, pain management, family medicine, and others. The student intern also has the potential opportunity to observe the doctor in a hospital surgery setting. This educational program is an enlightening experience for chiropractic student interns and medical doctors alike. There is a specific application process for interns enrolled in CCC III and CCC IV for participation in these programs.
As a component of the IPE rotation program, trimester 8 students rotate alongside an onsite neurosurgeon located within the Moody Health Center. This rotation provides exposure to surgical cases and other conditions that require interprofessional collaboration in the management of patients.
TCC & The Bridge Over Troubled Waters
The Moody Health Center at Texas Chiropractic College and The Bridge Over Troubled Waters (The Bridge), a non-profit group located in Pasadena that offers support, provides safety and works to prevent domestic and sexual violence, have teamed up to offer chiropractic care to clients and staff of The Bridge.
As a component of the IPE rotation program, trimester 8 students rotate alongside an onsite neurosurgeon located within the Moody Health Center. This rotation provides exposure to surgical cases and other conditions that require interprofessional collaboration in the management of patients.
TCC has established a clinic within the walls of The Bridge’s new 100-bed facility, and MHC interns have the opportunity to rotate through this facility while providing care under the supervision of licensed chiropractic attending clinicians.
“The importance of our partnership with The Bridge cannot be overstated, as the physical (and of course emotional) effects of sexual and domestic violence can be devastating – and certainly long lasting – for those involved,” Dr. Michael Sheppard, External Program Coordinator at TCC said.
Externship IX
The Externship IX program allows all Trimester 9 students to rotate for 4 weeks of the trimester with a specific Doctor of Chiropractic. This program allows participation by the intern in history taking, examinations, and limited patient care. The intern is able to receive an in-depth look at office procedures and clinical care of that specific Doctor of Chiropractic and gain valuable patient management skills.
Externship X
The Externship X program allows Trimester 10 students to rotate for up to 12 weeks of the trimester with a specific Doctor of Chiropractic. This program allows participation by the intern in history taking, examinations, and patient care, excluding manipulation. The intern is able to receive an in-depth look at office procedures and clinical care of that specific Doctor of Chiropractic and gain valuable patient management skills. A student must have sat for the NBCE Part II examination as a requirement to participate in this rotation program.
Preceptorship
The preceptorship program allows a qualified Trimester 10 intern to spend up to a maximum of 12 weeks working alongside a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic. In this program, the intern participates in all aspects of clinical chiropractic care, including manipulation, under the direct supervision of the Doctor of Chiropractic in their private practice. Participation in office management procedures gives the intern a firsthand experience in dealing with possible challenges of everyday practice. A student must have sat for the NBCE Part II examination as a requirement to participate in this rotation program.
Community Service Program
Interns are required to complete community service hours during their clinical rotation period. For details of this requirement, refer to the Clinic Handbook.