VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

o If discomfort with palpation is experienced, the student may:

 Ask for a brief interruption to inform the examiner of the discomfort,  Ask questions to provide an opportunity for the student or faculty member to explain why he or she is performing a particular exam or part of an exam,  Ask if the examination can be performed in a different manner that does not cause discomfort,  Delay the examination and request the Discipline Chair or Course Director be called to the table to assist with or watch the examination. o When this objection is known prior to the laboratory, the student should meet with the Discipline Chair in advance so the Chair can explain the importance of the examination and/or treatment and apply any measures to assure the student has the appropriate expectations from the learning experience. o When a concern is reported to the Discipline Chair, he or she will make every effort to describe the purpose of the examination and to determine how to best address the student’s concerns in performing the examination or having the examination performed on them. o The performance of the osteopathic physical examination (including the structural examination) is required, the student must learn this skill by performing and by having the examination performed on them. Therefore, all students with concerns should schedule a meeting with the Chair prior to the laboratory and may request additional faculty attend as well. The student must complete all required examinations and demonstration of treatment modalities in order to advance and to graduate. • A student may request accommodation for certain conditions (i.e. recent surgeries or injuries) and the Chair will determine the appropriate accommodation. If the student is not in agreement with the accommodation the student may request to meet with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs or HR. • Participation in the class is required for graduation. Acquiring such skills including visual inspection, the ability to touch and be touched, and use many other senses are required in the Technical Standards. • The exam performed should always be the one being taught in the lecture and laboratory documents for that lab. A student may, and should at any time, ask the peer student or instructor why they are not following the exam of the lecture or laboratory if they are not and may refuse the examination if not satisfied with the explanation. • To promote an environment of safety and respect, a student may decline permission for a specific student or instructor to perform a physical examination, procedure, or treatment or may ask for a different table assignment due to a prior relationship or interaction with that student or instructor or if something has occurred outside of the laboratory that has contributed to the student feeling uncomfortable. If a student requests this, the request must be in writing and by meeting with the Discipline Chair. • Students and faculty are notified that when a situation occurs where the student or faculty member is requested to do an examination or perform an OMM treatment outside the OMM classroom or OMM laboratory environment, that the OMM exam and treatment on the student should be done for academic (student learning) purposes only. When this occurs it should be in the academic setting and must always be a learning event that includes no less than three people in the room. By assuring three persons in the room, there will be no misunderstandings about the examination or treatment. This is the responsibility of both the student and the faculty member. o As an example, if a student is seeking an examination or treatment explanation from an instructor in their office or the laboratory outside of normal laboratory times, he or she should ask another student to accompany them. o Another example is if a student comes to a faculty member’s office to seek instruction on an examination or treatment, the faculty member should ask that the student to retrieve another student to be present for the exam.

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