The Use of Experiential Learning Modules to Teach Integrative Medicine Approaches

Complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM) are considered important in shifting toward whole person care. Residents remain limited in their understanding of CAIM approaches, preventing effective utilization.

We created modules to expose residents to available CAIM approaches in a Veterans Administration setting, using conceptual frameworks for experience-based learning.

In June 2016, 38 internal medicine residents at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System were randomized to 45-minute small group sessions. One cohort received an experiential module incorporating 10-minute practices of yoga, biofeedback, and acupressure. The other cohort received a standard lecture focused on CAIM use and outcomes. Participants completed a 6-question quiz to measure their understanding of CAIM use and an 8-question survey to assess their satisfaction of teaching, exposure to CAIM, and anticipated practice change. Referrals to CAIM modalities before and after the learning modules were counted to assess practice change.

All 38 residents completed the study, with 25 residents completing the experiential learning modules and 13 completing the standard lectures. Initial postquiz scores were similar. Five months postintervention, residents who participated in experiential modules were more likely to refer patients to CAIM modalities than those who received standard lectures (3.4 per month versus 0.6 per month, P = .018).

This study highlights the advantages of experiential learning of CAIM approaches for residents. It reinforces existing literature suggesting that physicians who experience CAIM are more likely to incorporate these approaches into practice.