Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Comparison of Current Knowledge, Attitudes and Interest among German Medical Students and Doctors

Abstract

Although it has been agreed that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) should be included in the German medical curriculum, there is no consensus on which methods and how it should be taught. This study aimed to assess needs for CAM education by evaluating current knowledge, attitudes and interests of medical students, general physicians and gynecologists. Two instruments based on established and validated questionnaires were developed. One was given to seventh semester medical students and the other to office-based doctors. Data were analyzed by bivariate correlation and cross-tabulation. Altogether 550 questionnaires were distributed—280 to doctors and 270 to medical students. Completed questionnaires were returned by 80.4% of students and 78.2% of doctors. Although 73.8% (160/219) of doctors and 40% (87/217) of students had already informed themselves about CAM, neither group felt that they knew much about CAM. Doctors believed that CAM was most useful in general medicine, supportive oncology, pediatrics, dermatology and gynecology, while students believed that dermatology, general medicine, psychiatry and rheumatology offered opportunities; both recommended that CAM should be taught in these areas. Both groups believed that CAM should be included in medical education; however, they believed that CAM needed more investigation and should be taught “critically". German doctors and students would like to be better informed about CAM. An approach which teaches fundamental competences to students, chooses specific content based on evidence, demographics and medical conditions and provides students with the skills they need for future learning should be adopted.

The teaching of acupuncture in the University of São Paulo School of Medicine, Brazil

“…Similarly, results obtained in other surveys (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11) indicated that the majority of medical students is interested in learning the fundamentals of homeopathy and acupuncture and are favorable to include ting these disciplines in the undergraduate curriculum. Although a significant number of interviewees ignored the main reasons for use of these unconventional therapies, as well as their effectiveness, most of them defended the use of these medical specializations in public health care, for integration with conventional medicine, seeking to increase the physicianpatient relationship and to enlarge the spectrum of action of the medical art.…”

Medical Students Knowledge and Perception Regarding Complementary and Alternative Medicine

“…In Oman, herbal remedies are considered as over the counter (OTC) drugs and thus are easily available through pharmacies. This is reported in literature that medical students and general practitioner both have an opinion that CAM should be included in the curriculum [11].…”

O Ensino da Acupuntura na Escola Médica: Interesse e Desconhecimento

“…Em revisão sistemática da literatura sobre as PIC no ensino médico, Christensen 15 Resultados similares obtidos em outras pesquisa [15][16][17][18][19][20][21] indicaram que a maioria dos estudantes de medicina está interessada em estudar os fundamentos da homeopatia e acupuntura, e é favorável à inclusão destas disciplinas no currículo de graduação. Assim, embora um número significante de participantes ignore as principais razões para usar as terapias não convencionais, assim como sua efetividade, eles defendem seu uso no sistema público de saúde, para integrar a medicina convencional, procurando melhorar a relação médico-paciente e aumentar o espectro de ação da arte médica.…”