Electives in complementary medicine: are we preaching to the choir?

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Psychology

Background:

• Many medical schools offer complementary medicine electives.
• Characteristics of students enrolling in these electives are largely unknown.
• Understanding student profiles can inform curriculum development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare characteristics of medical students enrolled in a therapeutic touch and healing touch (TTHT) elective with those who did not enroll.
• To identify differences in attitudes, practices, and burnout levels.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was administered to second-year medical students at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
• Anonymous surveys assessed demographics, attitudes, practices, and burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI).
• Data were compared between 22 elective enrollees and 58 nonenrollees.

Main Results:

• Enrollees were more likely to be women (73% vs. 33%).
• Elective students reported lower confidence in being centered (41% vs. 64%) and demonstrating nonverbal comforting behaviors (9% vs. 43%).
• Enrollees practiced centering skills less frequently during patient encounters (18% vs. 66%), with comparable burnout levels.

Conclusions:

• Students in the TTHT elective showed less confidence and practice in centering and compassion skills compared to their peers.
• The elective did not appear to attract students with pre-existing higher levels of these skills or lower burnout.
• Further research is needed to evaluate the impact of TTHT training on skill development and burnout prevention.