Measuring what Medical Students Think about Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): A Pilot Study of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Survey |
| |
Authors: | Ann W Frye Victor S Sierpina Eugene V Boisaubin Robert J Bulik |
| |
Institution: | (1) Office of Educational Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-0566, USA;(2) Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-1123, USA;(3) Department of Family Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-1123, USA;(4) Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA |
| |
Abstract: | With increasing national and international support for the development of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) curricula
in American medical schools, it is essential to measure what learners know and believe about CAM in order to assess outcomes
of new teaching efforts. This paper describes the development and initial results of a survey designed for those purposes.
The survey is constructed so that earlier single-institution studies of students’ attitudes toward CAM topics, preferred ways
of learning about CAM, and students’ use of CAM therapies for self-care might be replicated and extended. A pilot test of
the Complementary and Alternative Medicine ( CAM) Survey was conducted with third-year medical students at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Validity and reliability studies
of the survey were conducted. Findings were compared to those of previously published studies. Interpretable subscales were
constructed from survey questions. Students’ attitudes toward CAM-related topics were generally favorable. More students were
familiar with biological-based therapies than with other CAM therapies. The majority of respondents listed lectures as their
preferred way to learn about CAM. Respondents’ own CAM use varied; minority and economically-disadvantaged students were more
likely to use CAM therapies than other students. The survey is a promising assessment of student attitudes toward and knowledge
of CAM therapies. |
| |
Keywords: | alternative medicine CAM evaluation medical education medical students survey research |
本文献已被 PubMed SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|