DH Clinic

"It's often said in confidence among DH students that the hardest part of the program isn't the academics nor practical work, but the securing of a qualifying volunteer to endure the hours long subjection at the necessary appointment times, who is also often expected to pay for it. ...even worse when the learning student fails to complete the patient in those three or so hours... For this it is amazing that administrators supposedly responsible for this program have allowed(pursued?) the consistent deterioration of front office support for the students, subtly over time. Even during their reduced hours of operation, (less than normal business hours,) I've not been able to get anyone to answer the phone number allocated for appointments on initial attempt, now going on years. Telephone tag (voicemail), lists?, email, and excuses for indefinite deferment have become the replacement for what used to be a professional front office presentation. Due to the inequity of power, between employee and student, combined with the subjectivity yet weight of employees assessments of students, and churn (two year program, ideally), not even class presidents have been willing to speak up for themselves. Generally it's some kind of budget cut, but I'm not specifically aware of the why for the administrative negligence. Word is that there was some claim of preferential treatment by a student toward scheduling personnel long ago, which may have been valid... However, punishing all students indefinitely for a poorly implemented scheduling policy, will rightly be detrimental to the college as well. "Off the street" volunteers, not particular about the student learning with them should be scheduled from the vacancies present in the moment, at their convenience. If none this semester, schedule for next, but schedule. Automate a form reminder email of the appointment one week, then another again one or two days before said appointment. The form reminder can even require confirmation to avoid replacement/rescheduling. (Just don't be excessive). If the student (who is ultimately affected, and should thus be interested) would like additional confirmation of this stranger's commitment to the appointment, before replacing them, there should be nothing stopping them from trying to introduce themselves (email, txt, call) to their volunteer for such, before meeting in person. Student's could then reserve their personal network for last minute fill-ins, for no matter what, life happens and students should expect some no shows. Habitual 'no notice, no show's (and this should be recorded by the front office), should get a one or two year ban. If someone scheduled would like to be considered for an earlier vacancy, cancelation, etc., then let them be on a list to be contacted for such… It doesn't seem impossible to provide this standard business support for DH, for not only has the private sector implemented these solutions long ago, but aren't the students paying for this level of support? No? Then what of the money taken from the volunteers? The students aren't getting paid dollars for their efforts... Some semblance of America, it's traditions, and free market economics still exist in portions of the community. Record numbers of citizens have been renouncing their citizenship the last few years as well as immigration from the south, so clearly, often with large organizations whether business, government, or the in-between ("colleges") we're unfortunately left with no justice than to "vote with our feet"."