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| Home > Program > Ph.D. Medical Science > General |
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| Introduction |
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Medicine is the art and science of healing. It encompasses a wide range of health care practices evolved to maintain or restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness. The Medical Science Program at California Trinity University emphasizes leading edge clinical assessment practices of Pain Management. However, all candidates can choose their own interest field of major instead of Pain Management. This Program concentrates on a deep scientific understanding of pain and related dysfunctions. The program encourages a conventional medical model enhanced by a multidisciplinary approach for the diagnosis and management of pain.
The degree of Ph.D. is the highest supervised degree offered by California Trinity University. It is awarded after the completion of a doctoral dissertation which demonstrates the candidate¡¯s ability to carry out independent research and analysis at an advanced level in the field of Pain Management.
The Ph.D. in Medical Science is an advanced research degree designed to develop the candidate for exceptional clinical expertise in the diagnosis and management of pain. Emphasis is placed on the development of strong scientific and clinical skills needed for differential diagnosis. The goal is to cultivate a clinically-oriented individual with the necessary background to think critically and function accordingly. |
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| Overview |
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This Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of five (5) semesters of study. Each candidate must select a research topic that will meet the standards expected of a Ph.D. degree. Candidates in this Advanced Education Graduate Program are strongly encouraged to conduct their research with a faculty member who is experienced in the specific area for which the candidate is writing. By the end of the 5th semester in the program, each candidate will be expected to have completed all requirements for the Ph.D. degree, including the successful defense of his or her Ph.D. dissertation. It is also expected that every effort will be made to submit at least one article for publication in a clinical journal.
Each candidate prior to receiving a Ph.D. will be examined orally on their overall knowledge of the field. The purpose of this examination is to evaluate the candidate¡¯s level of knowledge about the clinical diagnosis and management of pain, the basic mechanisms underlying these disorders, and the candidate¡¯s ability to design and conduct clinical research in this field. |
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| Mission Statement |
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The mission of California Trinity University in the program for Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Science is to educate, develop, and distinguish scientific experts in the diagnosis, management, and understanding of Pain Management. |
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| Objectives |
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1. To understand how to care for patients suffering from general pain including craniofacial pain, neuromuscular pain, and psychosomatic pain
2. To understand the structural, biological and behavioral factors underlying craniofacial pain, neuromuscular pain, and psychosomatic pain in general
3. To understand the clinical and scientific literature
4. To conduct research in general Pain Management, or in a closely related topic
5. To receive courses and seminars at the Craniofacial Pain Clinic at WMMC. These will range from literature review sessions and board review seminars, to patient conferences, visiting lecturers, and research meetings
6. To deliberately participate in patient rounds including the discussion of patient cases: All new and ongoing patients seen in the clinic are presented in an open discussion manner with the faculty and/or Director
7. To research the current scientific literature relating to the fundamentals of pain
8. To give selected lectures, emphasis is on diagnosis and management strategies with all clinical decisions validated and supported by the scientific literature. |
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| Craniofacial Pain Clinic at White Memorial Medical Center (WMMC) |
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The School of Medical Sciences in the field of Pain Management is associated with the Craniofacial Pain Clinic located at White Memorial Medical Center (WMMC) in Los Angeles, California. California Trinity University and the Craniofacial Pain Clinic at WMMC may offer annual seminars to provide doctoral students with opportunities to present their research to their peers and faculties.
The Craniofacial Pain Clinic has been at the forefront of the treatment of chronic pain for over forty years. The Clinic is the oldest of its kind in the world and is an acknowledged leader in the field of Pain Management. It is the first clinic to provide hands-on experience for health professionals and medical residents in diagnosing and medically managing facial pain, headaches, sleep disorders, as well as other temporomandibular and orofacial pain disorders. The Craniofacial Pain Clinic provides state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment for chronic pain conditions, based on current information and knowledge that is supported by appropriate research studies. The faculty consists of experienced health care providers such as dentists, chiropractors, hypnotherapists, kinesiologists, osteopaths, psychologists, speech therapists, physical therapists, and other health care professionals who are involved in teaching and the clinical practice of Pain Management. |
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| Internship and Seminar (Candidate Activities) |
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Each candidate actively evaluates and helps manage patients in the clinic. The candidate will be assigned patients in the Clinic and will be responsible for patient care, documentation, written reports, referring out to other doctors, follow-up work, and patient calls. Five (5) credits will be awarded for the candidates who achieve at least 50 hours internship of Craniofacial Pain Clinic at White Memorial Medical Center (WMMC) or our clinic under their supervisor or appropriate approved clinic under their supervisor during five semesters if the candidates are lack of clinical experience (See the Graduation Requirements).
Candidates will receive courses and seminars at the Craniofacial Pain Clinic and the University Acupuncture Clinic at CTU. These will range from literature review sessions and board review seminars, to patient conferences, visiting lecturers, and research meetings. Emphasis is placed on establishing a proper diagnosis and management plan and in developing appropriate relationships with medical specialists who can assist in diagnosing and managing the patient¡¯s specific pain complaint. Pharmacologic, psychological and physical medicine modalities are combined with orthopedic appliances to manage the pain patient. Various diagnostic and therapeutic injection techniques, ganglion blocks, and other physical medicine modalities are also used when appropriate. This Ph.D. graduate program is recommended for health professionals who are motivated for a more academically rigorous, clinical environment.
The candidate for this program will be eligible for taking the certification examination for Diplomatic status offered by the American Academy of Pain Management (http://www.aapainmanage.org/).
The Ph.D. program can be customized per an individual¡¯s requirements. Distance learning and mentoring is available for student/candidates if they are not able to attend our clinic and may be accommodated on an individualized basis. Prior approved educational experiences and courses may apply towards this program on an individualized basis. Approval is required by a faculty member.
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