Clinic PEAK Introduction
Life University announces the Clinic PEAK program.  This program is a breakthrough innovation in clinical education.  Placing senior students in the best practices will allow experienced doctors to mentor and train the soon to be graduated students in a “real Life” setting.

Clinic P.E.A.K.* Program  Description  (*Practice Excellence Art and Knowledge)
The PEAK program is a program designed to allow senior interns to complete their clinic requirements under the direction of an off campus Doctor.  The Doctor has qualified to become a Life University Extension Faculty member and will serve as a mentor to help the intern not only develop clinically but also be better prepared to make the transition from school to practice.

The PEAK Program is for student interns in quarters 13 and 14, in good academic standing and having passed the 12th quarter OSCE exam.    Doctors of Chiropractic will be credentialed through an application process to become a PEAK Doctor.  The final step for credentialing the doctor will be the approval of the Georgia State Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

The student Intern will work with the PEAK Doctor in providing patient care and fulfilling other assignments given by the PEAK Doctor.  They will follow the curriculum, guidelines, the Honor Code, and Eight Core Life Proficiencies of Life University; with the additional caveat that the PEAK doctor’s office and patients, are the doctor’s and thus the student must also adhere to the PEAK Doctors office policies.  From this experience the intern will gain valuable insights into the nuances of running a profitable practice and the rewards of providing quality chiropractic care.  The PEAK Doctor will act as a mentor to the intern helping to bridge the gap between the classroom, the college clinic and private practice.  The PEAK Doctor will have a formative impact on the development of the intern’s clinical and professional identity.   The intern will commit to a two quarter internship with the PEAK Doctor to provide continuity for the PEAK Doctor’s practice and the opportunity for the intern to be able to follow a wider range and variety of cases. 

It is anticipated that the relationships between the PEAK Doctor and intern will be meaningful for both parties allowing guidance in developing skills in clinical practice, practice management, community services and the balance of professional and private lives.  It is anticipated that the PEAK Doctor will not only be a facilitator in the student intern’s development, but also become a life long mentor.

Once the intern is in the PEAK office they will be a participating team member of the clinic, being a valuable part of the practice team.  Interns will perform history, examinations, diagnosis, x-ray,  provide chiropractic adjustments and complete a Learning Objective Worksheet each week to fulfill course requirements under the direct supervision of the PEAK Doctor.  In addition they will be present in the office NO less than 154 hours or about 15 hours each week and will be available to perform assigned duties that support the office in order to gain a broad experience on all that is required to run a practice.  The extent of involvement will be determined by the PEAK Doctor with the understanding that the Intern is there to be an active participant of the practice team.

The PEAK program initially will be in the Atlanta metro area, thus the two parameters that we need to work within are the Georgia state laws and Life University College of Chiropractic curriculum.

Georgia state law states that students may perform “…chiropractic procedures at a location other than the premises of the chiropractic college … provided such student has successfully completed a minimum of three academic years of Chiropractic College…”  The CCE Standards refer to the clinic not owned and operated by the chiropractic college as “Supplemental Clinical Training Programs”.

Chiropractors in the PEAK Program

Doctor Requirements and Responsibilities

1. Licensed DC for 5 years, holding a current, valid Georgia License and in good standing.
2. Malpractice Insurance 1,000,000/3,000,000.
3. Have a commitment to education and quality patient care.
4. Agree to assume the duties of an Extension Faculty member of the Life Clinic, and complete PEAK related forms.
5. Agree to meet with the student intern on a weekly basis and sign various worksheets and timesheets.
6. Provide supervision and mentoring of the student.
7. Have appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic equipment to meet the basic needs of patient care.
8. Provide the opportunity for students to attain hands-on or interactive training.
9. Maintain an appropriate working environment and at least a 15 hour/week schedule.
10. Offer a variety of cases typical of the practice of chiropractic in our communities.
11. Allow students to utilize the core techniques taught at Life University.
12. Agree to visits by member of the PEAK Program for review of your records and practice.
13. Be trained in basic life support.
14. Receive approval from the Georgia State Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

Students in the PEAK Program

Intern Requirements and Responsibilities

1. Interns understand that participation in the program is a privilege and not a right.
2. It is the intern’s responsibility to complete, sign and submit the Intern Application by Week 7 of the preceding quarter they wish to participate in the PEAK Program.
3. The intern will receive their clinic assignment from the PEAK Program office during Week 9, then must meet with their PEAK Doctor to review and sign their Intern Contract/Learning Agreement.  This form is to be completed and returned before Week 1 of the quarter they are in the PEAK Program.
4. The intern agrees to participate in the PEAK Program for the entire quarter and is presumed to be a 2 quarter commitment.
5. The intern is responsible for reporting to their assigned clinic on time for all scheduled shifts and act and dress professionally while in the program.
6. Then intern will follow all policies and procedures of the Extension Faculty office, and meet weekly with the PEAK Doctor.
7. The intern is expected to demonstrate an acceptable level of clinical performance during the internship.
8. During this program the intern will be earning graduation requirements.  To maintain records for these requirements the intern will use the: Learning Objective Worksheets, Intern Service Log, Case Management Form, and X-Ray Report Form,  to record all services performed.  It is the intern’s responsibility to complete and turn in the, Case Management Forms, and X-Ray Report Forms.   The Student Intern will also need to help the PEAK Doctor remember to submit weekly totals of chiropractic credits and the Learning Objective Worksheet.
9. It is the intern’s responsibility to compete with their assigned doctor the Mid-Quarter Intern/Doctor Meeting form and turn in to the PEAK Program office by Week 6.
10. At the end of Week 12 of the quarter it is the intern’s responsibility to turn in to the PEAK Program office the Self Assessment; PEAK Program Experience Evaluation; any Journal pages, Learning Objective Worksheets, Intern Service Logs, Case Management Forms, and/or X-Ray Report Forms.
11. The intern will perform only those procedures deemed ethical and legal for unlicensed individuals as outlined under Charter 100-8 of the “Laws and Rules of the Georgia Board of Chiropractic Examiners” which can be found on the Board’s website at www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/chiro.
12. The intern will present to the Coordinator of Clinical Advisement by the end of the 11^th Week of 14^th Quarter for Red Lining and clinic clearance for graduation.

PEAK Learning Objectives

1. Clinic Orientation
2. Philosophy
3. History Taking
4. Physical Examination
5. Neuromusculoskeletal Examination
6. Psychosocial Assessment
7. Diagnostic Studies
8. Diagnosis
9. Case Management
10. Report of Findings
11. Chiropractic Adjustment
12. Therapeutic Procedures/Physiotherapy (optional)
13. Patient Education
14. Case Follow-Up and Review
15. Communication
16. Record-Keeping
17. Doctor-Patient Relationship
18. Professional Issues
19. Front Office Procedures
20. Payment Options
21. Practice Management
22. Ethics and Integrity
23. Wellness

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  What is the goal of PEAK?
A. Our goal is to better educate student interns and enhance their ability to transition from the University environment to practice.  In addition to provide opportunities for the experienced Doctor who would like to participate in education but are involved in private practice.  This means the program is intended to be streamlined to reduce administrative hassles and yet provide a high level of instructional and experiential benefit for the Intern and satisfaction for the Doctor.  

Q.  Is there any compensation for becoming a PEAK Doctor?
A.  No.  This is a service to the profession, which we believe most doctors in our profession realize that giving to the rising generation is a worthy service.  There are some benefits we hope to extended to our Extension Faculty members.  They may receive standard faculty discounts for CEU hours at Homecoming,   plus they may have Library access and Online research access via Galileo, and faculty access to the Wellness Center facilities and programs.    

Q.  Can you bill third parties for services performed by the intern?
A.  Yes.  Under most circumstances you can bill patients and 3rd parties for services performed by the intern.  Since they are performed under your supervision, you will co-sign any clinical note and bill the service in your name (not the interns).  Our policy is to NEVER bill Medicare for any service performed by an intern. Clear with all Managed Care Organizations if a student intern may provide services.

Q.  If I am unhappy with the Intern for any reason, am I stuck?
A.  No.  If you decide the Intern is not working out then you should call the PEAK Director and we will re-assign the intern out of your office.  This will not be a casual matter for the Intern but we expect that circumstance to encourage the Intern to provide excellent service in your office.

Q.  How much time is going to be required to be a PEAK Doctor?
A.  Not much.  There will be some direct observation so that evaluations of the students performance can be noted by the Doctor and improvements recommended.  Those services for which the intern is to receive credit should be observed.  Other services need only be supervised.  The weekly meeting can easily be a lunch meeting.  We expect the intern to enhance your office experience, once the program and procedures have some time to become familiar.  Since there will be some time commitment needed to create value for Doctor and intern, we encourage only those offices that are stable and well organized to participate at this level.

Q.  What happens if there is a malpractice claim by a patient the Intern has had an encounter with?
A.  Should this unpleasant, but extremely unlikely event occur, the Intern is covered by the Life University malpractice policy, and you will be covered by your own insurance.

Q.  If you like an intern and would like to offer an employment opportunity, is there any restriction regarding this?
A.   No.  They may NOT be compensated for hours involved in completing the PEAK program; however, once they have completed their internship you may bring them onboard as an employee if you wish.  The internship is not considered an employment trial period. 

Q. Can I pay my Interns?
A.   NO!  Because the Intern has paid tuition for the course and is receiving graduation credit it is not appropriate to pay them any salary.