The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point
  • About this web log

    This blog ran from 2006 to 2016 and was intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

  • About the author

    John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

  • Common sense considerations

    The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

  • Recent Posts

  • Recent Comments

    Medical students in Wales want more education on CAM

    In 2000, the House of Lords Select Committee’s Report on CAM recommended familiarization with CAM for medical students and doctors.

    According to this article, little has been done. But it confirms an interest in greater exposure to CAM education among medical students in Wales.

    Researchers from Singleton Hospital in Wales, UK surveyed 78 first year medical students in the undergraduate entry program in Cardiff and 58 first year medical students from the graduate entry program in Swansea.

    And, the results.

    • 32% of undergrads had previous knowledge of CAM vs 51% of grad students.
    • 62% of undergrads want to be taught about CAM vs 94% of grad students.
    • 31% of undergrads said CAM has a role in the National Health Services (NHS) vs 50% of grad students.

    CAM considered important.

    • Acupuncture: 64%
    • Herbal medicine: 38%
    • Chiropractic: 31%
    • Osteopathy: 26%
    • Homeopathy: 12%
    • Reflexology and tai chi: 7% each

    Aromatherapy was not mentioned.

    The bottom line?
    None of the students had received teaching about CAM, and little formal CAM teaching is included in the curricula at each site. However, as they advance through training, students seem to recognize the importance of including CAM education as part of their medical training.

    1/19/08 21:00 JR

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