From skepticism to openness: a qualitative narrative analysis of medical students’ attitudes following an integrative medicine course

Objective The present study aimed to explore attitudes of medical students following a course in integrative medicine (IM) focused on palliative and supportive cancer. Method Attitudes to IM among pre-clerkship medical students were assessed following a 3-day required course, which included interviews with international experts in IM and “hands-on” workshops mentored by IM and non-IM healthcare professionals. Student reflections were analyzed qualitatively, and written narratives were examined thematically. Results Of 161 students, 102 (63.4%) provided post-course reflections. The main narrative themes included pre-course attitudes, attitude changes and influencing factors, and insights on implementing IM in clinical practice. Pre-course attitudes were predominantly skeptical, with post-course attitudes more open and non-judgmental, addressing research on IM effectiveness and safety. Students looked favorably on the implementation of IM in clinical practice and felt the course enhanced communication with patients. Conclusions Student attitudes to IM shifted following the course, from a skeptical to a more non-judgmental and accepting approach. IM course may facilitate a better understanding of the limitations and risks of IM practices, particularly in the supportive cancer care setting, as well as implications regarding students’ own resilience and professional growth..

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2022

Erschienen:

2022

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:30

Enthalten in:

Supportive care in cancer - 30(2022), 6 vom: 10. Feb., Seite 4789-4795

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Ben-Arye, Eran [VerfasserIn]
Finkelstein, Adi [VerfasserIn]
Samuels, Noah [VerfasserIn]
Ben-Yehuda, Dina [VerfasserIn]
Schiff, Elad [VerfasserIn]
Reis, Shmuel [VerfasserIn]
Lesser, Lior [VerfasserIn]
Bergel, Michael [VerfasserIn]
Shaham, Dorith [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext [lizenzpflichtig]

Themen:

Complementary alternative medicine
Integrative medicine
Integrative oncology
Medical education
Palliative care
Supportive care

RVK:

RVK Klassifikation

Anmerkungen:

© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2022

doi:

10.1007/s00520-022-06888-9

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

OLC2130288626