Interested in pursuing a preceptorship while at NUHS in your tenth trimester? Let’s talk about what my day-to-day looks like in my preceptorship! I step into the bustling clinic at 8 a.m., ready to embark on another day of learning and lots of patient interactions. This is a day in the life of my chiropractic preceptorship, an immersive exploration into the realm of patient care, diagnosis, and therapeutic treatment. My mornings often begin with conducting new patient physical exams. I begin by collecting a comprehensive personal history, which includes obtaining information about their chief complaint(s), symptoms, medical history, prior surgeries, aggravating factors, alleviating factors, medication use, family medical background, and their aspirations for treatment. Each piece of information is a valuable building block in our endeavor to improve their well-being and better understand their condition(s).

When warranted, I proceed to the next phase of the examination – taking X-rays. These images serve as powerful tools that unveil the mysteries beneath the surface, offering a visual narrative of a patient’s condition. Having the ability to take X-rays during my preceptorship has been a very valuable tool to improve my radiographic skills in positioning patients and analyzing the images thereafter. After the X-rays are taken, I discuss the patient’s case with my preceptor. We meticulously review the images together and my preceptor encourages me to share my insights, to communicate my observations from the X-rays, and to propose treatment options that I believe would benefit the patient. He encourages me to discuss review of findings with patients and prepares me with phrases and terminologies to use to further educate patients in a style that they will understand and become invested in their health and wellness. His mentorship style is founded on collaboration, a two-way exchange of ideas where my contributions are genuinely valued. It’s not merely about adopting textbook methods, but rather about thinking critically and creatively to provide the best care for each individual. This open dialogue empowers me to critically analyze cases and develop well-considered treatment plans. I really appreciate this learning approach.

My preceptor enables me to apply my knowledge by adjusting him and other clinic employees, offering valuable feedback and recommendations to enhance my skills. This hands-on experience further helps my development as a future chiropractor. My preceptor’s commitment to my growth is evident in his openness to explore alternative treatment options. He encourages me to share the treatments I’ve learned in my chiropractic classes, whether it’s addressing conditions like plantar fasciitis, anterior head carriage, lymphadenopathy, or popliteus muscle tightness. This dynamic environment expands my toolkit and enables me to consider a diverse range of approaches to patient care.

From comprehensive patient exams and diagnostic imaging to engaging dialogues with my preceptor and hands-on learning, this preceptorship opportunity is a testament to the transformative power of practical education. A day in the life of my chiropractic preceptorship is a kaleidoscope of experiences!

For more information about NUHS’ clinical opportunities in the doctor of chiropractic program, click here.