Tutorial training in Chinese medicine is the time-honored tradition from which all modern teaching methods and curricula in acupuncture schools have evolved. Tutorial training is the traditional origin of everything you are learning in your schooling, reading and practice.

The one-on-one learning environment of this important oral tradition is our link to the past. It also provides a bridge to the future of clinical training in Chinese medicine.

What's the Problem?

The California Acupuncture Board nearly voted to discontinue the tutorial program at the Aug. 10, 2007 meeting in San Francisco. Strong opposition at the meeting from the California Association of Acupuncture Tutorials (CAAT), along with testimony from other supporters, helped to keep this motion from passing.

However, this issue will come up again at the next meeting on Nov. 2, 2007 in Sacramento, and we must work together now to voice our opposition to what would be a tragic loss for the tradition of Chinese medicine.

What Do We Need to Do?

We urgently need all of the following people to contact us with their support and stories:

• Teachers in tutorial programs (past, present and future);
• Students in tutorial programs (past, present and future); and
• Supporters, admirers, advocates and opponents of tutorial education in Chinese medicine.

We urge you all to step up to the plate and send us letters describing your experience in tutorial programs, what tutorial training has meant to you, your feelings about the program, and your recommendations for improvement. We are gathering our energy, evidence and support in preparation to deliver another strong message to the California Acupuncture Board at the Nov. 2 meeting.

When Do We Need This?

It's now or never. Contact us by e-mail at , by fax at (415) 485-1065 or by mail at 124 Pine Street, San Anselmo, CA 94960-2674.

If you don't do this, tutorials will disappear and we will all be worse off. We urge you to take action and join our ongoing 25 year efforts to keep Chinese medicine tutorial education alive and well.

The CAAT was founded in 1984 as an advocacy group for tutorials. We are urging the California Acupuncture Board to retain the acupuncture tutorial program and strengthen the acupuncture regulations relating to tutorial programs. We recommend that the board, as an agency of the Department of Consumer Affairs, protect the ability of consumers of acupuncture education to continue to have access to affordable and individualized education.

Michael Broffman
Michael McCulloch
Louise Estupinian
Johanna Altgelt
Jeremy Paster

California Association of Acupuncture Tutorials