by James Ruddick [jamesruddick@summertownclinic.co.uk]
In 2007 I joined the team of Clinic tutors at Oxford Brookes University, in their Mill Court Clinic, with the role of helping the Osteopathic students transfer their academic understanding of the body, the anatomy and physiology into the art of being an osteopath. It wasn’t long before the University asked me to start lecturing in osteopathic technique and clinical skills, on their part time 5 year Masters course.
I’d only ever previously done smaller lectures and seminars to groups such as to Oxfordshire’s newly qualified GP’s which I’ve done for Dr Raine over the last few years, but this was totally different.
I think we all look back to when we studied at school and remember our favourite teachers, and I certainly do, but what is easy to forget is just how much time and effort goes into preparing the classes/lectures. To begin with this was all rather overwhelming and each day of lecturing was taking me months to prepare. With time though it does become easier and I enjoy researching and reviewing my old notes, in fact I often wonder if I’ve learnt more than my students have from me!
Beyond the preparation for these lectures there are the questions, students ask the most relevant and interesting questions, which helps me think of new anecdotes,
and keeps me studying to make sure I can answer them. I notice now as I’m working these anaecdotes often spring up when I’m trying to explain myself to my patients and they prove very useful in their education too.
Watching my students develop is another joy of the job, from their first interaction with a patient and their obvious insecurities and lack of self-belief, to joining them at their graduation as they set out on their osteopathic journey.
Teaching technique is particularly interesting as with any skill, it’s so difficult to use words that describe what you’re feeling and how you apply an action which over the years has become so automatic. It has made me reflect on my own technique, and consider the very foundation of how I do what I do, which in turn has made me a better osteopath as a result.
I’ve really enjoyed teaching and lecturing and its with great sadness that we’ve recently been told that Oxford Brookes is stopping its osteopathy courses on financial grounds, as we were gaining a reputation from the osteopathic community for being leaders in our field.
I hope to continue until the course closes in 2016 and then may try and carry on in London where I studied!
