Medical School Curriculum
Second Year Curriculum
The second year of this longitudinal course sequence extends student learning about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Through lectures, panel presentations, and small group discussion, students will examine the prevalence and patterns of alternative therapy use among patients, discuss credentialing standards and government regulation, and explore common clinical applications, potentially adverse effects, and current research evidence for efficacy of the most commonly used CAMmodalities. Students will consider various approaches to discussing these topics with patients of diverse backgrounds and health beliefs.
Required Course Sessions
M2 Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Herbs and Health
M2 Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Anxiety and
Depression
Elective Courses
M2 Selectives
Educational Materials
M2 Web Course Tools, Web Course Pages
M2 Case Studies, Longitudinal Case Studies
Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Herbs and Health
This course lays the foundation
for future learning about herbal
medicine in subsequent classes
and clinical experiences. Instruction
focuses on examining several of
the most commonly-used herbs. Discussion
includes various approaches to
training, credentialing, and licensing
herbal medicine practitioners as
well as an overview of scientific
evidence related to use of herbal
therapies. Students explore several
patient cases related to use of
Echinacea, Garlic, Ginkgo Biloba,
Ginseng, and Saw Palmetto. The
course will target eight specific
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO's)
related to student knowledge of
CAM, two related to skill development
and one linked to professionalism.
Multidisciplinary Perspectives
on Anxiety and Depression
The goal of this course is to build on information
taught in preceding courses and sequences within
the first and second year medical school curriculum,
with a particular emphasis on complementary and alternative
therapies for the treatment of anxiety and depression.
It also lays the foundation for future learning about
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in subsequent
classes and clinical experiences. Instruction focuses
on examining therapeutic techniques (e.g., acupuncture,
exercise, herbal treatments, meditation, journaling)
useful in the treatment of anxiety and depression.
Discussion touches upon how to balance clinical experiences
and scientific evidence in making recommendations
for individual patients. Students explore the role
preconceived notions, biases, and expectations can
play when working with patients suffering from anxiety
and/or depression.
Selectives
The goal of the CAM elective courses is to build
on information taught in preceding courses and
sequences within the first and second year medical
school curriculum. Some electives extend student
awareness of alternative medical systems discussed
previously (e.g., Anthroposophic Medicine, Homeopathic
Medicine, Chiropractic Medicine) while others address
CAM topics touched upon only briefly in prior courses
(e.g., energy therapy, spirituality, mind-body
medicine). Each elective offers students the opportunity
to participate in active learning activities and
requires the submission of a written paper.
