scholarly journals A Survey of Medical Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Urmia, Iran

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 306-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahshid Sadeghi ◽  
Soheila Rabiepoor ◽  
Aida Sefidani Forough ◽  
Shiva Jabbari ◽  
Shahram Shahabi
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Medical Curriculum ◽  
Neuromuscular Disorders ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Data Collection Instrument ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Personal beliefs of medical students may interfere with their tendency for learning Complementary and Alternative Medicine concepts. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of medical students toward complementary and alternative medicine in Urmia, Iran. A structured questionnaire was used as data collection instrument. One hundred questionnaires were returned. Thirty-one percent of students reported use of alternative medicine for at least once. Iranian Traditional Medicine was the main type of alternative medicine used by medical students (93.5%). Neuromuscular disorders were the main indication of alternative medicine use among students (34.4%). Ninety percent of participants demonstrated competent knowledge about acupuncture while the lowest scores belonged to homeopathy (12%). Study results showed that 49% of medical students had positive attitudes and demonstrated a willingness to receive training on the subject. Thus, there appears a necessity to integrate complementary and alternative medicine into the medical curriculum, by taking expectations and feedbacks of medical students into consideration.

scholarly journals Medical students use, attitudes towards, and knowledge of complementary and alternative medicine: A scoping review

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 107-117
Author(s):  
Sarah Brown ◽  
Justin L C Bilszta
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Medical Curriculum ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes And Knowledge ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Introduction: Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is popular in the general population and medical practitioners may not be fully equipped in their knowledge of CAM to advise patients appropriately. The aim of this paper was to perform a scoping review of current literature describing undergraduate medical student use, attitudes, and knowledge of CAM as a means of better understanding the educational needs of these students. Methods: A systematic search of Medline, PubMed and the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) databases with keywords related to “complementary and alternative medicine” and “undergraduate medical students” for relevant articles published until August 2020. Results: Of 131 papers identified, 38 underwent full review. It was found 13-80% of medical students use CAM, and overall have a positive attitude towards CAM therapies. Female medical students and those with religiosity had more positive attitudes towards CAM than their male colleagues and those without a religion. Knowledge of CAM is lacking with approximately only half of students feeling they were knowledgeable about CAM therapies. Popular information resources are the Internet and social media, but students expressed they want more teaching of CAM in the undergraduate medical curriculum. Conclusion: Evidence suggests high usage of CAM amongst undergraduate medical students, and positive attitudes towards CAM therapies; however, knowledge of CAM is poor, and students want more CAM teaching to upskill them in counselling patients interested in CAM therapies. Further areas for research include a better understanding of resources medical students use for their knowledge and how gender and religiosity influence attitudes towards CAM.

scholarly journals Medical student attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in medical education: a critical review

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Joyce ◽  
Jon Wardle ◽  
Chris Zaslawski
Keyword(s):  
Medical Student ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Medical Curriculum ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Medical Student Attitudes ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

AbstractBackgroundThis paper aims to remedy a gap in the knowledge by presenting the first critical review of the literature on major themes relating to medical students perceptions and attitudes towards the exponentially growing field of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).MethodsAfter a comprehensive database search of the literature, 21 papers were chosen as suitable for the review. The results from these papers were tabled and discussed.ResultsThe results indicated that medical students lacked knowledge of CAM and are generally positive towards CAM education (especially in the preclinical years, if it provided evidence of efficacy and post-placement). Medical students thought that CAM should generally be incorporated into the medical curriculum mainly so they can confidently undertake referral to CAM practitioners. Being able to communicate with future patients about their CAM use was a major motivation for medical students to learn about CAM and a factor for medical student support of further incorporation of CAM content in the medical curricula. Educational exposure to CAM in many forms and in many papers was shown to significantly affect medical student attitudes to CAM. This may be reflective of the fact that, outside direct CAM training, there may be limited accessible opportunities for medical students and if integration is to occur, educational exposure is most important.ConclusionsThe rise of CAM as a social and clinical phenomenon necessitates consideration of further inclusion of these topics in the medical curriculum, if future physicians are to be able to fully discharge their role as care providers in an increasingly medically pluralistic world. However, the inclusion of CAM needs to be done in an objective and critical manner, which is relevant to the learner.

scholarly journals Knowledge and Attitudes towards Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Senior Medical Students in King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sami H. Alzahrani ◽  
Jamil Bashawri ◽  
Emad M. Salawati ◽  
Marwan A. Bakarman
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Older Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
King Abdulaziz University ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Objectives. This study assessed the knowledge and attitudes regarding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in medical students in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, it evaluated their views on the incorporation of CAM in their medical syllabus.Methods. The study was conducted by selecting a cross-sectional sample of senior medical students in the Faculty of Medicine. A validated and reliable self-administered questionnaire was used to explore the knowledge, attitude, and benefits of CAM. It was distributed to a sample of 273 students.Results. The study included 242 students, making the response rate 88.6%. Only two-thirds of students (62.4%) were aware of acupuncture principles and only 17.4% recognized that chiropractic is associated with pain management. The knowledge of common herbs such as St. John’s Wort,Echinacea, andGinkgo bilobawas limited among the students. Older students had a positive CAM attitude compared to younger students (p=0.027).Conclusion. Students attitudes toward CAM learning were encouraging regardless of their limited knowledge on the subject. A high percentage of students agreed that CAM in combination with conventional therapy is beneficial in treating unusual cases, but the choice of CAM should be based on evidence. Furthermore, medical students are still reluctant to have CAM practitioners in their referral network.

scholarly journals Complementary and Alternative Medicine Education for Medical Profession: Systematic Review

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nana K. Quartey ◽  
Polly H. X. Ma ◽  
Vincent C. H. Chung ◽  
Sian M. Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Teacher Background ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Objective Outcomes ◽  
Future Evaluation ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Purpose. To help integrate traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) into health systems, efforts are being made to educate biomedical doctors (BMD) and medical students on TCAM. We systematically evaluated the effect of TCAM education on BMD and medical students' attitude, knowledge, and behavior towards TCAM utilization and integration with biomedical medicine.Methods. Evaluative studies were identified from four databases. Methodological quality was assessed using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI). Study outcomes were classified using Kirkpatrick's hierarchy.Results. 3122 studies were identified and 12 studies of mediocre quality met inclusion criteria. Qualitative synthesis showed usage of diverse approaches including didactic, experiential learning, varying length, teacher background and intensity of exposure. More positive attitudes and improved knowledge after intervention were noted especially when teachers were BM trained. However, few studies assessed behavior change objectively. Finally, longer-term objective outcomes such as impact on patient care were not assessed.Conclusions. Lack of use of objective and reliable instruments preclude firm conclusion on the effect of TCAM education on study participants. However, positive changes, although mostly subjectively reported, were noted in most studies. Future evaluation should use validated or objective outcome assessments, and the value of using dual trained instructors.

Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Adult Patients With Cancer in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia: A Qualitative Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Christina ◽  
Wendy Abigail ◽  
Lesley A. Cuthbertson ◽  
Dean Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Education ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Semantic Approach ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Palliative Care Setting ◽  
Nurses Knowledge ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

The aim of this study was to explore nurses’ knowledge and attitudes toward the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among cancer patients in a palliative care setting. A descriptive qualitative approach was used in this study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 nurses recruited using purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using an inductive semantic approach. Thematic analysis identified that nurses possess limited knowledge of CAM. Nurses were skeptical toward CAM and less confident to recommend its use. Four main themes (and two subthemes) emerged: Understanding of CAM, Hesitative Attitudes, Personal Experience, and Preferences in Learning about CAM. There is a need to integrate CAM topics into nursing education programs in order to develop nurses’ knowledge and build positive attitudes toward CAM use. Sufficient knowledge and positive attitudes toward CAM would support safety and quality of care in management of patients with cancer who use or are contemplating using CAM.

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

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karsten Münstedt ◽  
Hildegard Harren ◽  
Richard von Georgi ◽  
Andreas Hackethal
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Medical Curriculum ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
General Medicine ◽  
Specific Content ◽  
Bivariate Correlation ◽  
Supportive Oncology ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

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.

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