In episode 402 of the Mechanical Care Forum, we’re concluding with Season 13 highlighting the McKenzie Institute International Diploma Program. Today we’re connecting with a pair who completed the diploma about 10 years ago and once more with my cohort. We’ll hear their big picture take on the program and specifically the benefits of the community of which they’re now a part and plenty more. This week on MCF!

Show Notes

(by Jayla Hall)

(5:02)

Concluding Thoughts of the 2023 Diploma Cohort

Jason and his guests discuss the social value (e.g., network of and communication amongst McKenzie clinicians) gained through undergoing the Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy Diploma Programme. Tim, Emily and Renaud give their perceptions of in-person versus virtual collaboration with colleagues for the benefit of clinicians’ education and their clinical reasoning underlying patient care.

(14:40)

Past Diploma Students

Sharon and Fiona became diplomaed in the McKenzie Method in 2014.

Sharon recently established a private practice in Mexico City, Mexico, co-founding the practice with another MDT clinician. Sharon is also undergoing her probationary period to become a member of the Robin McKenzie Institute Mexico faculty; she anticipates instructing parts A and B of the McKenzie courses.

Fiona currently works in the private practice sector between two clinics. She is also a new member of the teaching faculty of the Robin McKenzie Institute Canada. Fiona has received a promotion to instruct parts A, B, C, and D courses.

(19:30)

Collegial Relationships

Fiona and Sharon discuss the collegial relationships which they formed within their cohort during the theoretical portion of the 2014 MDT Diploma Programme.

Quote:

“I think of MDT as a big family. Once you become a diplomat, you are part of that family, so I never felt alone. We all share something that connects us.” –Sharon

(26:55)

Collaboration with a McKenzie Branch Faculty for a Patient Case

Fiona mentions a patient case that she presented to a McKenzie branch faculty, noting a contradiction between the patient’s (1) history and (2) physical examination and repeated movement testing (as the patient did not present with an anticipated directional preference, given her history).

Quote:

“When you’ve [completed] the diploma programme, you can handle any kind of constructive criticism and should be open to asking more questions. Question yourself, and have self-reflections.” –Fiona

(31:00)

The MDT Diplomat Community’s Impact on Professional Development

In collaboration with the Mckenzie Institute Canada, Fiona shared the initiative to conduct small gatherings twice yearly for and with MDT clinicians to discuss and consult patient cases outside of the typical, communal conferences.

Sharon shares her initial experience of the probationary period during January 2020. Resuming her teaching processes in the midst of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Sharon experienced the opportunity to teach with Scott Herbowy, Colin Davies, Robert Medcalf, Richard Rosedale, and other instructors. Representing the McKenzie Institute Mexico, Sharon also taught in Costa Rica and the United States.

Quotes:

“They want us, diplomats, to grow in our journeys. They opened a new way of probationary that wasn’t [offered] before, because there [hadn’t been] anyone in Mexico to teach me.” – Sharon

(38:47)

Final thoughts

Quotes:

“It is not expected that you fix everyone. It is expected that you show how to do an accurate history-taking and assessment.” –Sharon

“I’m still learning! There’s still more to learn!” –Fiona

“Going through the diploma programme, everyone around you wants you to [improve]. You have a community: you can reach others, and they’re willing to help. They’re always wanting to make you better!” –Sharon

We would like to thank Episode 402’s sponsor, The McKenzie Institute International. The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy is globally recognized as a leading treatment for back, neck and extremities disorders. The McKenzie Institute International offers the diploma program to those professionals who have achieved prior certification in the method.

If you’re interested in learning more, go to The McKenzie Institute International.

We hope to deliver this content to the committed professional who wants to improve his/her care and we hope to do it in a way that is easily accessible, the world over, in today's technological age.

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