Complacency is a common human trait. In the face of a world full of uncertainty it can be safer to choose what feels familiar. As health professionals we face this challenge every day working with our clients who want to make changes for the better. We encourage them to try new routines and foods, to choose the side salad instead of the chips, and to then see how it makes them feel. Ideally, the new routines and side salads become the familiar and a positive, lasting change is made.

In a clinical setting, it can become very easy to reach for that product you know and trust. You may have been using it for years and seen great results. You may like the feel of it when treating a patient or it was the brand you trained with so you feel most comfortable using it. However, if we are to truly stay on top of our game it can be worth it to step back and take stock. Do we need to investigate cutting edge research and how technology might be improving the effectiveness of how we treat?

At Endeavour, the forefront of our clinical excellence can be found at our Endeavour Wellness Clinics. The students take the breadth and depth of the knowledge learnt from their highly, qualified teachers and translate it into the highest standards of clinical practice. More than ever it is important we model the behaviours of successful practitioners – and guarding against clinical complacency would have to be near the top.

So this semester break the clinic management team is collaborating with its academic counterparts to review our ‘tools of the trade’.

In acupuncture we have arranged samples from six of the leading needle brands in Australia to methodically test and rate based on practitioner preferences and patient experience. Each campus nationally is compiling their feedback and the top 2 or 3 leading brands will be selected for our clinics in 2015. This will give the students an opportunity to gain vital experience using a range of quality brands and ensure we are continuing to provide them with a rich learning environment for their studies.

In the naturopathy and nutrition dispensary we have a very long list of products, some of which are being discontinued or outdated and some that represent double ups in products with similar clinical applications. The academic team have been feverishly reviewing, debating and rationalising the list to arrive at a consensus of what a cutting edge, modern dispensary should contain. The aim is to have this list finalised as soon as possible so the clinic dispensaries can get a makeover ready for Summer School in January.

In MST we are investigating and trialling tools that can assist clients with home maintenance and improve recoveries (more to come on this topic!!)

There may be some disappointment along the way as products are replaced with their newer counterpart. It is important we remind ourselves at this juncture that as the old guard retires there is a fresh-faced new guard waiting in the wings to take their place. And we have them eager to practice and prove themselves in our clinics.

This article provides general information and is not intended to constitute advice. All care is taken to ensure information is accurate and relevant. Please see your Practitioner for health treatments and advice.