An Introductory Program to Alternative Medicine in the Undergraduate Medical Curriculum

Background: Alternative medical therapies are widely practiced in many countries. In the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Health has encouraged research in this area. The medical graduate needs to understand the principles of current alternative medicine techniques and the ethical basis of the relationship between the various systems of healing. Description: A course was delivered through problem-based learning; which aimed at defining alternative medicine common practices, the principles on which they are based, and their advantages and disadvantages. Students interviewed families on their uses of alternative medicine and techniques. Attitudes of students toward alternative medicine before and after the courses were studied. Evaluations: All families used herbal remedies for treating common symptoms before consulting physicians and they believed that such remedies were safe. The attitudes of students toward herbal medicine, homeopathy, and acupuncture were modified by the program and the students described the program as an opportunity to learn an important topic. Conclusion: To increase knowledge and awareness about alternative medical practices it is necessary to introduce alternative medicine into the undergraduate medical curriculum, as today's medical students will be tomorrow's physicians.