The School of Naprapathy is closely monitoring the current situation as the pandemic intensifies, particularly in the Stockholm region, where there is significant spread among young people aged 20–29. Below is an update from the school management regarding current teaching protocols.
As an educational institution, the School of Naprapathy has a duty to provide high-quality education. Students, in turn, have a responsibility to follow established rules and guidelines and to act responsibly, both during their studies and in their free time. We must work together to avoid a situation where we are forced to shut down operations and transition entirely to distance learning, which could happen if we experience a cluster outbreak. Several other universities and colleges have already had to do this due to increased rates of infection.
The goal of the School of Naprapathy, both during the coronavirus pandemic and under more "normal circumstances," is to deliver education of the highest quality. Our primary focus at this time is to provide instruction within the given timeframes, ensure that course objectives are met, find new and smart digital teaching methods, ensure that examinations are conducted according to principles of legal certainty, and uphold the right to student financial aid. Below is an action plan regarding instruction at the School of Naprapathy.
Theoretical lectures will continue to be livestreamed, likely throughout the spring semester of 2021, to facilitate distance learning. Digital lectures will continue, with sessions recorded where appropriate to serve as a supplement for review. A number of pre-recorded lectures within the main subject of naprapathy are available as an additional resource. Theoretical examinations will be adapted to the current situation and the nature of the subject. Extensive work is underway to ensure that examinations are conducted in a legally secure manner.
Currently, most practical lessons take place on campus. Group sizes have been reduced and the facilities have been adapted, with additional practical training rooms created. If the infection situation worsens and it is no longer possible to hold practical lessons on campus, parts of the instruction may be provided as livestreamed sessions.
The attendance requirement is currently 80% but may be adjusted in the future. To compensate for this, more make-up sessions may need to be added to the schedule, and the rules for becoming "eligible" to attend a make-up session may be subject to change.
During the autumn semester of 2020, the use of face masks was implemented for practical and clinical instruction when physical distancing was not possible, and this will continue. The schedule will, as far as possible, avoid "rotating" groups. Furthermore, the School of Naprapathy's facilities in Danderyd will continue to be used, as they are very well-suited for practical exercises with 22 individual examination rooms. The school management has decided that the gym is to be used only for practical instruction and not for personal workouts.
Clinical operations are currently running, but with an adjusted attendance requirement of 80%, as students who feel even the slightest symptoms of illness are urged to stay home. The use of face masks continues during clinical instruction. Similar to the practical instruction, group sizes have been adapted and rotation within student groups is being minimized. The option for video consultations continues and may in the future be more focused on physical activity and "home exercise," which is very timely and allows us to reach more patients across the country.
If the infection situation worsens and it is no longer possible to hold clinic sessions, parts of the instruction may be provided in the form of more theoretical patient case discussions. The most important measure during the spring semester of 2021 will be to increase supervised sessions, i.e., "feedback sessions," at the clinic to ensure that educational objectives are met.
The school management would like to express our hope for everyone's understanding of the difficult situation we are currently in, and we are working intensively to find good solutions to maintain the high goals set by the School of Naprapathy!
Best regards,
Helène Schulte, Licensed Physician, PhD
Principal, School of Naprapathy
