Medical School Curriculum
First Year Curriculum
This longitudinal course sequence provides students with a foundation in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). 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.
Required Course Sessions
M1 Complementary and Alternative Medicine Unit
M1 Alternative Approaches to Musculoskeletal Pain
M1 Mind-Body Medicine: Theory and Practice
Educational Materials
M1 Web Course Tools, Web Course Pages, Online Longitudinal
Portfolios
M1 Case Studies, Longitudinal Case Studies
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Unit
Instruction focuses on tracing
patterns of CAM use by patients,
articulating key issues facing
CAM researchers and practitioners,
and presenting the National Center
of Complementary and Alternative
Medicine classification system
for CAM modalities. Information
presented within the unit provides
a foundation for establishing effective
relationships with patients who
use a diverse array of medical
treatments. The course unit consists
of an introductory lecture by Dr.
Warber, a half-day CAM field experience,
an afternoon of case-based, student-led
presentations and research discussions,
and small group discussions of
the provider-patient relationship
facilitated by CAM practitioners
and medical school faculty.
Alternative Approaches to Musculoskeletal
Pain
The course builds on information taught in preceding
courses and sequences (i.e., Patients and Populations,
Normal Cell, Doctor-Patient Relationship, Normal
Organ Systems I-Immunology, Normal Organ Systems
I-Musculoskeletal). Instruction focuses on examining
therapeutic techniques related to musculoskeletal
conditions, including massage, chiropractic, Shiatsu,
and pharmacological treatments. Discussion includes
the training, credentialing, and licensing of CAM
providers who treat musculoskeletal conditions as
well as the scientific evidence linked to particular
therapies. Students learn the physician perspective
on referral to body-based therapies.
Mind-Body Theory and Practice
The goal of the course is to build on information
taught in preceding courses and sequences within
the first year medical school curriculum, with
a particular emphasis on issues related to psychoneuroimmunology,
mental status, and achieving a positive health
state (i.e., "wellness"). Instruction focuses on
examining therapeutic techniques useful when addressing
lifestyle and health-risk factors as well as behavioral
health issues. Discussion includes various approaches
to training, credentialing, and licensing mind-body
medicine practitioners as well as an overview of
scientific evidence linked to specific treatments.
Students learn the physician perspective on referral
to mind-body therapies. A large group lecture introduces
students to Mind-Body Medicine applications and
to Mindfulness Meditation therapies. Small group
experiences include exposure to several therapeutic
approaches including hypnosis, guided imagery,
Yoga, and Tai Chi. Students also learn about advances
in the field of psychoneuroimmunology and engage
in a discussion with a panel of Mind-Body Medicine
professionals, including physicians who use these
techniques with patients.
