Implementing a Curriculum to Advance Integrative Medicine Education for Medical Students: Early Lessons and Next...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Integrative Medicine
• Healthcare Professional Development

Background:

• Growing demand for holistic healthcare necessitates improved physician training in integrative medicine (IM).
• Existing knowledge gaps in IM hinder its application in patient care.
• This project addresses the need to enhance IM education for future physicians.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and refine an immersive IM elective curriculum for medical students.
• To improve health education and learning in IM.
• To enhance future physicians' knowledge, skills, and self-care practices.

Main Methods:

• A four-week immersive IM elective was delivered to three cohorts of third- and fourth-year medical students (n=18).
• Weekly and postelective evaluations assessed changes in attitudes, behaviors, and self-reported IM knowledge.
• Descriptive analyses and iterative curriculum refinement based on student feedback were employed.

Main Results:

• Student satisfaction ratings (course expectations, depth, usefulness) ranged from 4 to 5 (Likert scale).
• Postcourse evaluations showed significant improvements (p < .01) in knowledge scores (Hedges g > 0.8).
• The course positively impacted attitudes towards patient care, personal lifestyle, and self-awareness.

Conclusions:

• An immersive IM elective curriculum effectively improved medical students' satisfaction, attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge.
• Iterative curriculum refinement using student feedback was key to its effectiveness.
• This initiative represents a step towards integrating IM into the core curriculum to close knowledge gaps and promote holistic patient care.