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Research: GREENFIELD and colleagues
Listed in Issue 64
Abstract
GREENFIELD and colleagues, Department of Primary Care and General Practice, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK aimed to describe the motivation, experience and attitude change of undergraduate medical students who chose a special study module in complementary therapy (CT) .
Background
Methodology
Second-year medical students completed a self-administered questionnaire before and after taking a special study module in CT concentrating on homeopathy at the University of Birmingham Medical School.
Results
20 questionnaires were completed at each time point, resulting in 19 sets of paired data. Prior to taking the module, 11 students had had personal experience of CT, and students' attitudes varied widely from 'scepticism' to 'acceptance' . Students saw the module as offering a rare opportunity to examine and evaluate non-orthodox therapies. They tended to rate CT as a whole and homeopathy in isolation similarly (p=0.005). After taking the module, the trend was less marked (p=0.077). CT as a whole was rated higher than homeopathy in isolation, both before and after the module. Individual students' ratings moved in both directions. After taking the CT module, 12 students considered learning and practising a CT, most commonly acupuncture .
Conclusion
UK undergraduate medical curricula have begun to incorporate non-core components through special study modules. The Birmingham CT module was popular and attracted students with a range of initial attitudes. The module allowed discernment about the value and role of CT within the established medical system while maintaining heterogeneity of opinion.
References
Greenfield SM et al. Considering the alternatives: a special study module in complementary therapy. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 8 (1): 15-20. Mar 2000.
Comment
The above studies illustrate how far the study of a variety of complementary therapies has pervaded the medical profession, with universities, such as the University of Birmingham, incorporating special study modules to accommodate such learning.
