The graduate student’s diagnostic and treatment skills are further developed at specialized external rotations. Each program incorporates multidisciplinary interactions from the start, and has mandatory and optional practica.
The resident, in consultation with their Supervisory Committee and the Director of Graduate Studies, will decide at the beginning of the program which options they wish to take, and a schedule will be established. Assignment and selection of practica occurs consistent with the specialty program.
Each resident must also participate in a placement treating patients in an outpatient hospital clinic or alternate facility as deemed appropriate by the Director, Dean, and Program Coordinator. Graduate students should check directly with the division for the appropriate practicum.
Placements Currently Available
Calgary, Alberta
Graduate students have the opportunity to spend six months collaborating on research in the Human Performance Laboratory (Kinesiology) at the University of Calgary, and treating patients at local clinics.
Chedoke Chronic Pain Program
Under the supervision of Dr. Tunks, the graduate student will observe the assessment and follow up of chronic pain patients and be involved in case-based discussions. The students gain invaluable insight into the complex clinical puzzle of chronic pain. This rotation is two days per week, for two weeks.
Hamilton General Hospital
CMCC graduate students spend two to three days a week for six months in Orthopaedic clinics within the hospital interacting with orthopaedic surgeons, residents and patients. Residents spend a second six month rotation working as part of a large interprofessional research group investigating musculoskeletal conditions.
Husky Plastic Injection Moldings
CMCC graduate students provide chiropractic treatment three days a week for six months to employees in the on-site multidisciplinary wellness centre. Patients present with a variety of symptoms related to workplace ergonomic factors. The students are also involved in ergonomic assessments of the workplace and wellness seminars for the employees, and thus obtain a multidimensional view of the etiology, management, and prevention of workplace injuries.
Power Lifting Athletes
Sports science graduate students spend one day a week for up to eight weeks working with elite power lifting athletes at a clinic in Orillia, Ontario. This is a practical rotation involving assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation.
St. Michael’s Hospital
CMCC graduate students spend three days a week for six months at the hospital. On two days they will provide chiropractic treatment in the Chiropractic Program in the Department of Family and Community Medicine for patients referred from the Family Practice unit. The third day will involve observational clinic placements in the hospital, review of patient cases with a Chiropractic Fellow and involvement in medical clerk education rounds.
Taekwondo
Sports science graduate students spend several weekends attending elite Tae Kwon Do tournaments. This is a practical rotation involving assessments, treatments and rehabilitation of competitors, under the supervision of Sports Fellows.
Other placements
CMCC also has placements with several facilities to expand the graduate students’ educational knowledge, including the following practica:
- Observational and collaborative experience reading plain film and advanced images with a Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- Observation and assessment of patients with various Orthopaedic surgeons
Research Thesis Requirements
All graduate students are required to complete a satisfactory research protocol. A research proposal must be presented to the Supervisory Committee no later than 12 months after initial registration in the program. Graduate students must present and defend their research results as part of their Fellowship examinations following completion of their program.