How many case studies?? (Opinions please)

[Bro]

This kind of overlaps therapies and training..

I've been wondering recently, I hope all of us have had to do case studies in order to practice and there are large differences between different providers regarding what is done and what isn't. I wondered, how many treatments for the different therapies you've done and how many you think you need as a minimum to practice.

I was talking to a hairdressing tutor and she said students only had to do one long hair cut in order to practice, which alarmed me. I wouldn't want to be their first client!

When I did my remedial massage I only needed to complete nine treatments, although I did a lot more. I felt ill prepared to go out and carry out the treatments when I started and my confidence came in time. In comparison, I learnt reflexology at the same time and having done 60 case studies (I did a lot more than this) I felt confident and prepared. I also chose to treat more difficult cases, which helped.

I wondered if any of you had any thoughts or experiences of this..

 

[Berrywade]

Hi ya Gussie

I agree with you about the feeling confident about after ploughing through 60+ AoR case studies in reflexology. 3 people 3 times wouldn't of been enough.

Having said that, in ITEC Indian Head Massage is 3 people 3 times, but there is 25 hours on practical hands-on stuff, so in reality 20 hours of supervised treatment sessions. 5 people 5 times for case studies would of been better. That's my opinion when I used to teach it, after all IHM isn't rocket science.

I'm presently studying Tuina Chinese Massage and there is 12 case studies - 2 people 4 times, 4 one-off treatments. I don't think this is enough. But we do a lot of work on outside volunteers under supervision. You could say its swings and roundabouts.

Several years ago studying Thai (Yoga) Massage, the case studies were developed in different treatment lengths, from 2 hour treatments for overall wellbeing, to short solution-focused 30 minute "get in there and sort the problem out" treatment. This made me think deeply on which techniques to use and why. A valuable learning experience.

I hope this is of some use to you.

RP

 

[Dave K]

60 hours for Massage and Aromatherapy. This was a SQA course

60 hours Reflexology with S.I.R (Scottish equiv of AOR).

I had a member of staff who had just finished a VTCT in Holistic Therapies....couldn't get her to do any treatments as she had no confidence whatsoever. I believe they only had to do 3 case studies per modality. The person even admitted that whilst they had received a qualification in reflexology that they did not feel competent to do a treatment as they never really "got it"

I have spoke to the local college and attended an " employers forum" where the consensus of all employers was that very few graduates were proficient or competent.

Not enough case studies imo....and tell me (anyone who teaches) do the colleges ever fail anybody or does attendance alone merit a pass?

Patchouli

 

[flavorflash69]

It really is an emotive subject, isn't it. I agree 60 is great, you live and breathe the subject after that subject, quoting one of my students having put blood, sweat and tears into it.

There are also many places where people qualify in subjects following a week of tuition plus case studies. I know one school offering ITEC reflexology in a week! That's 40 case studies! HOW!!??!!

I currently teach ITEC IHM. Do you know they are trying to get people to do 50 hours in class time! I'm unsure how many therapists would pay for a 7 or 8 day IHM course. You can easily cover the materials in four good but packed days. I do see what they are getting at though, competency, quality, true understanding and depth of learning. Three people three times, I would like to see people do more, but the students really do seem to get to grips with it, even those who haven't yet completed their massage quals (some do both at the same time).

Patchouli - People do fail the ITEC exams. It is less that people fail the practial, but more that a good tutor will recognise that a student isn't ready and advise the student to wait and do more practice, as failing a pratical could potentially be the most demotivating and embarrassing thing you could put a student through. Occasionally students just don't suit the modality and they don't even sit the exam - ever, although this is rare.

The area where I feel most miss out on are the contraindicated folk - many students go for safe bes, avoiding the tough cases. I urge my students to find the most needy clients they can find, as they will learn more.

5 sick folk > 10 relaxation bods

As a tutor, I feel it's important to make your students achieve above and beyond the basics of the qualification (they don't appreciate this at the time though) but end up really confident.

Massage desperately needs more treatments, 40 would be minimum, 60 ideal.

Aromatherapy - you can cause some serious harm here if you mess up, having done only 9 treatments for mine, I felt ill prepared. I went out and had to read endless books to get some theory in my head and practice all I could.

 

[Oiortiz]

Hi ya Patchouli

To back up Gussie, people do fail ITEC exams. They are quite strict and not as mickey mouse as some people think.

I have often heard on the grapevine that on VTCT courses poor students do slip through the net. This is usually at large colleges who are more interested in performance targets, not on high quality therapists. I wonder how much flack I'm going to receive from that statement???

As I have often stated on Hp, a course is only as good as the tutors and students how put the time and effort into it.

Gussie: I have recently watched a Chinese Massage DVD where the presenter asked a TCM doctor what makes a good practitioner. He replied: "Character". So may be doing lots of case studies and supervised treatments this helps to develop character.

Best Wishes

Reiki Pixie

 

[icarus62]

I haven't posted up to just because, as a current student, I don't have experience of awarding bodies except VTCT. For my Level 3 Diploma in Holistic Therapies I've had to do:

Body Massage: 8 one off treatments
Indian Head Massage: 3 x 3 case studies plus one off treatments (I've done 15)
Aromatherapy: 30 treatments, preferably either 6 x 5 or 5 x 6 (in practice it's 5 x 5 and 5 one offs for me - clients drop out, don't turn up...)
Reflexology: same as aromatherapy.

Do I feel confident enough to practise in industry? Well the clinic manager where I work is one of my aroma case studies, and I'm sure if I wasn't up to it she'd have let me know!

It's been quite interesting to watch my fellow students grow in confidence over the last 6 months, since we've been performing treatments on "real people". Yes there are one or two who still feel that they are "winging it", but most of us do feel confident to blend and treat.

I do have a horror story which I'm quite reluctant to tell, and it doesn't include any of my fellow students, but I won't post it here just in case the therapist concerned is on HP! That one did cause me to question just how good the teaching was on the course she did.

 

[hugsandkisses2120]

In response to the question, earlier this year I did VTCT IHM, 3 x 3 case studies, and we needed the min of 25 hours and were encouraged to do far more than this. The lecturer suggested doing 4 - 5 sessions rather than 3 to give us a better idea of how our clients were responding. The college had people lining up for treatments and we had plenty of variety of heads and shoulders through the door. Course 24 weeks (1 evening per week)

In Reflexology we needed 4 people x 5 case studies, with a min of 35 hours covering a variety of people. Course 36 weeks (1 evening per week) Again the variety of people queuing for treatment was a surprise and encouraged to do more than this.

Having no A & P I had to do the A & P Level 2 for the IHM and Level 3 for the Reflexology. The lecturer was very good, we did it in manageable chunks and one class flowed on from the other.

Health & Safety was well covered, outside exam, whilst contra-indications were also stressed very well. The lecturer encouraged people to learn at their own pace, giving extra help when necessary. A number of people had dropped out by Christmas from each class, but apparently this is normal. The rest of us have plodded on sharing info.

Now the million dollar question do I feel confident, yes I do, but I have hours of practice sessions (not even included in my recorded work as until I felt confident I did not feel I could ask for a signature when I felt I hadnt done a good session). Friends and family have encouraged me and they have also enjoyed their treatments.

Learning both courses and holding down a full time job, being a wife and mother has been a juggling act but I have managed it and so glad that I did.

In between I've attended a number of weekend courses, which although packed with info, in order to practice on the paying public more supervised sessions and case studies are required I've had to decide what to do next and continue on the learning curve.

Therefore one day courses are useful but I doubt you could call yourself a practitioner after only one day's instruction. What about the A & P implications? Even though I thought it wasn't necessary at the beginning of the courses I have changed my mind as it has given me a more rounded understanding.

That's my thoughts for to day.

Fudge
xxx

 

[orlenda]

See, this is something I am struggling to understand re the VTCT course.

What is meant by doing 3 x 3 case studies with a minimum of 25 hours.
By my calculations 9 treatments (even allowing for an hour) is nine hours...so where does the 25 hours come in? Is it class time? but that doesn't equate as it was 24 week course which I assume was more than one hour a week.

Same for the reflexology, The maths doesn't add up.

Can someone explain.

When I trained 60 hours meant either 10 clients for 6 x 1 hour sessions or 6 clients for 10 one hour sessions and that was just for the actual treatment not allowing for consultation.

My Aroma/Massage tutor who set up and ran the SQA course at the college jacked in the job when it became VTCT and "Holistic Therapies" was taken over by the Beauty Dept.

Patchouli

 

[Kim C]

Yes, the colleges near me are very large, Holistic Therapy courses are run by the beauty dept and it really appears to be a case of "bums on seats". Apparently if you don't get on the beauty courses then they steer you to HT course instead even if not interested.

I honestly do not believe that the number of case studies to do is enough. For someone to have been given a certificate whilst not knowing how to do reflexology beggers belief. How on earth did the person pass a practical exam, was the tutor even watching?

I went back recently and did a small VTCT course and was appalled at how poor it was (at this local college, before all VTCT folk jump in).

The first tutor dissapeared mysteriously (no explanation) and the one who took over started out with enthusiasm trying to correct poor techniques but even he gave up eventually and just passed everyone.

We only had to do 3 x3 for this course and I know that some of the students even made them up....they still got their certificate.

Patchouli

p.s. RP...had my first Tui Na treatment from our new guy and well impressed. Its great, want another one soon.

 

[Head Like A Hole]

I studied Gentle Touch Reflexology which was a year long course and took (and passed!) the AOR exams and the BRCP exams eg 2 practicals and 2 written exams.

For the course we had to treat a minumum of 60 clients which included 6 case studies eg 6 clients x 6 treatments = 36, 3 client studies in a clinic setting, 2 hand treatments and 19 other treatments. Plus, of course, the classroom treatments and mock exams. Not to mention all the above written up and researched, plus homework and A and P and classroom days.

I cannot understand how anyone can call themselves a Reflexologist after a weekend course and no other training.

CrissyB

 

[#1 Due 12/19: BOY]

Hi ya Patchouli

What is meant by 3 treatments 3 times is case studies outside the class. In IHM it would be only 4.5 hours if practised for the recommended 30 minutes per session.

The 25 hour practical on a course (ie IHM) is in-class and technically isn't case study time. So the calculation is different as they are two different issues. But many students use each other as case studies and often do this quietly in-class. Shhh, don't tell ITEC (can't vouch for other exam systems).

Hope this makes more sense.

Cheers

Flakey Pixie

 

[Princess Zelda]

Sorry for the delay in the reply, been to college this evening and yesterday had to work.

As stated the case studies are done away from class in your own time. The other hours are either out of class or in the therapy rooms with clients. The lecturer supervises and offers advice when necessary. His eyes are everywhere, but I think this comes with experience and how much enthusiasm he/she has for the subject.

Classes are structured for both courses, A & P for the first hour or so, this consisted of a classroom approach and then a test/revision the following week. After this the practical hands on treatment for the rest of the evening. We spent a lot of time learning the routines in small chunks, all fully explained and demonstrated step by step. Therefore the run up to Christmas was learning/practicing the routines.

As IHM was the shorter course the A & P was finished just after Christmas and then clients were introduced, first we did one per evening and then we did two, it depended on what you wanted to do.

Reflexology had more A & P and a far longer routine, therefore paying clients were introduced around Easter, the A & P was completed around that time. Again as our speed has increased we could do two clients in an evening if we wanted too.

Along side this we had to do essays and research various things. All along the way our treatment paperwork was checked and marked as well as our consultation skills, health & safety, understanding, etc.

Now I have 5 more classes to do, all of us have finished our case studies, completed far more hours than the minimum, handed in our paperwork and files have been verified. We are continuing to look at hand reflexology and discussing treatments for people with various aliments, a number of colleagues wish to work as volunteers, therefore the lecturer has spent a lot of time explain in depth contra indications, treatment, routines and lots of suggestions. We have looked at the HND Course Work and discussed topics of interest.

As for someone copying caseloads our lecturer would have spotted it straight away. All in all the college has been supportive and our VTCT Course been very well structured and informative.

Fingers crossed that I have demonstrated that the VTCT has been quite comprehensive.

Happy learning

Fudge