This longitudinal course module provides students with a foundation in complementary, alternative and integrative medicine (CAIM). Through readings, field visit experiences and lecture/small group discussion, students will explore the diversity of medical practices, key issues facing researchers and practitioners, and principles of information gathering by undertaking preliminary overviews of research evidence.

KNOWLEDGE OUTCOMES
Understanding of:

1. The distinction between integrative and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

2. How personal, cultural, ethnic, and spiritual beliefs shape an individual’s interpretation of his/her disease and to treatment.

3. Various conceptualizations of illness, healing, and curing.

4. The evidence for mind-body-spirit relationships in illness and health.

5. The prevalence and patterns of CAM use by patients.

6. Basic definitions, theory, philosophy, history of the most commonly used CAM modalities.

7. Common clinical applications of the most commonly used alternatives.

8. Potentially adverse effects of the most commonly used alternative therapies.

9. Current research evidence for efficacy of the most commonly used alternative approaches.

10. Reputable resources for in-depth information related to the most commonly used alternatives.

11. Training and credentialing standards for complementary and alternative medicine practitioners.

12. The status of government regulation of herbal medicines and dietary supplements.

13. Potential legal and ethical implications related to the inclusion or exclusion of complementary and alternative modalities in a patient’s treatment plan.

SKILLS OUTCOMES
Ability to:

1. Locate reputable information resources for integrative medicine in order to support patient care and life-long learning.

2. Encourage doctor-patient communication by creating collaborative relationships based on mutual respect.

3. Communicate effectively with patients by eliciting information about all aspects of their health and illness as part of history taking, including biological, psychosocial, social, and spiritual considerations.

4. Design a personal self-care program that includes assessment of personal stress level and implementation of a self-care strategy.

5. Develop focused questions regarding the application of integrative medicine principles or practices for an individual patient

a. Utilize databases, peer-reviewed publications, authoritative textbooks, web-based resources, experiential knowledge of practitioners, and participatory observation to gather relevant information on alternatives.

b. Evaluate information for scientific quality and clinical relevance.

c. Consider the possible outcomes of integrating alternatives into the care plan of an individual patient.

PROFESSIONALISM OUTCOMES: ATTITUDES, BEHAVIORS AND CHARACTERISTICS
Demonstration of:

1. Openness to paradigms and traditions outside of conventional medicine that can drive the clinical decision-making process for both physician and patient.

2. A willingness to engage in critical inquiry about current approaches to health and disease taken by both CAM and conventional health care providers.

3. Respect for the influence of patients’ personal, cultural, ethnic, and spiritual beliefs on their experience of health and illness and on patients’ clinical decision-making process.

4. Respect for patients’ decisions to use complementary and alternative therapies, and/or other self-care strategies.

5. Respect for the strengths and limitations of applying evidence-based medicine principles to the circumstances of an individual patient.

6. Awareness of the importance of self-care both for physician well-being and as a model to promote self-care in patients.

7. Respect for the role that CAM providers play in the delivery of health care to diverse patient constituencies.

Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Herbs and Health

Elective - Ancient Healing in the 21st Century. Plant Spirits,
Shamanism, and Energy Medicine

Elective - Botanical Medicine: Preparations and Applications

Elective - The Elephant in the Exam Room: Spirituality and the Practice of Medicine

Elective - Healing Foods Pyramid

Elective - Understandings of Health and Disease in the Classic Medical Systems of India & Tibet

Elective - The Healer's Art

Elective - Using the Creative Arts in Patient Care

Elective - Introduction to Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese
Medicine

Elective - Nutrition and the Use of Supplements in Athletes

Multidisciplinary Approaches to Anxiety and Depression

Bibliographic Resources

CAM Research Centers

Web Resources