Do We Need an Acupuncture Mentorship Program?

When we need help regarding a subject today, we turn to the internet to obtain a rapid answer. There is an abundance of information. Click on the computer browser and, in a few minutes, one has located exactly what is needed. When was the last time you visited the library? Too busy, I assume? When did you have a discussion on medical acupuncture with your mentor?

When I was in medical school, I had a mentor in my clinical years. I always admired my mentor, as he dressed very professionally and treated his patients very kindly. He had a large thriving practice, with patients literally knocking on his door. He was never in a hurry. I found myself imitating him as I matured through my training. It was not only that he taught me about medicine, but he also taught me about life in general and the importance of not neglecting family. “The profession is great but the family is even better,” he said. He took time to read journals and reflect on the classics. He made me memorize medicines—but not a lot of them.

During consultations, I felt swamped, but he knew when it was time to take a break over cheese and wine while we listened to Bach. Then he would return to see more patients. My mentor became my friend and an endless source of knowledge. Although I might have forgotten many of the textbook explanations of medicine that he taught me, I never forgot his style. He was a gentleman, a scholar, and a down-to-earth physician. I learned the limits of medicine and also learned to hold my tongue, too. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Acupuncture is very complicated, as you know. You will always do well to get advice, whether it is from your technology or billing mentor. Yet, I looked on the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA) website and did not find anything related to a mentor program. I do remember around 1995, when I finished the Helms Course, I was assigned a mentor although I am not sure whether it was through the AAMA or the Helms Course itself. I did take advantage of this to a small extent but not enough.

Realizing the importance of having a “go-to” source for help, I eventually published an editorial entitled “CAM: 24-hour technical support needed?” ¹ in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). I remember stating that the entire field of CAM is evolving in such a manner that we needed a 24/7 call-in support. I believe that this is even more relevant now. Techniques, literature reviews, policies, regulations, etc., are very daunting and producing an information overflow. How true this is and how important that our new acupuncturists profit from an organized help system in this current day and age, is something I emphasize. It is not easy to go on alone by oneself. But with a great mentor, you will know not only how to practice acupuncture, but how to take care of yourself and your family as well.