I was introduced to a concept as a student at Life College by my mentor Steven Garber, DC, that concerned the growth and evolution of skills. He spoke about the skills of a motion palpater and adjuster. He painted the scenario of a first quarter student beginning a four-stage process, starting out as "unconsciously incompetent." We have no idea how little we know or how much we have yet to learn. This is the starting place. We begin with classes in anatomy, physiology, terminology, and in some schools, philosophy. Progressively we begin to figure out there is much we do not know.
The second stage, "conscious incompetence," I suspect comes along somewhere in the early or middle part of the student's career. Our professors are introducing new information all the time. The information is also constantly expanding and changing. This is the time to develop a good, solid academic and philosophical foundation. At this stage, we begin to realize there is a great deal of work and study ahead of us. The students are now taking classes in radiology, diagnosis, chiropractic technique and neurology.
The next stage is called "conscious competence," and probably begins for many good doctors as they start private practice. The palpation and adjusting skills are constantly improving with the sheer repetition of our work. We are consciously aware of what we are doing and also understand that there will always be more to learn. The doctors' palpation, adjusting, and diagnostic skills are adequate. These doctors often have busy, successful practices, and help many patients. The majority of doctors work on advancing their careers during this stage and do quite well.
What I would hope all doctors would strive to obtain is the level of "unconscious competence," the level of a master clinician. A couple of names come to mind: Henri Gillett and Clarence Gonstead. There are many doctors actively practicing today who have reached this plateau. At this level, the doctors can concentrate on the patients' health and well-being and not be concerned whether they're going to be able to properly analyze or adjust. These doctors gather a great deal of information from the history and mechanism of injury. Practice is still challenging but is less stressful because the history taking, palpation, and diagnostic skills lead the doctor quickly to the when, where, why, and how of adjusting the patient. These doctors routinely have very successful practices and have a strong connection with their patients.
Although the Motion Palpation Institute programs are not the only postgraduate educational classes that you need to take, a great deal can be learned and experienced with the MPI seminars. I would invite you all to join us for a learning experience through which we can expand our knowledge, improve our clinical skills, and strive to become "unconsciously competent."
Mark King, DC
Cincinatti, Ohio
Editor's Note:
Dr. King will be conducting his next Spine 1 (S1) seminar March 12-13 in Boston, Massachusetts and his next Spine 2 (S2) seminar July 9-10 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Call 1-800-359-2289 to register.
Dr. Mark King graduated from Life Chiropractic College in 1986. He is a clinician at Mt. Lookout Chiropractic Sports & Injury Center in Cincinnati; president and lead instructor of the Motion Palpation Institute; and a coach and co-founder of Cutting Edge Chiropractic Consultants.