Complementary Medicine electives???

[Dr_Jay_wannabe]

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I was wondering which (if any) colleges of Osteopathic Medicine have electives or courses in alternative or complementary medicine. Any kind of acupuncture, nutrition, herbal, mind-body, or similar modalities taught or discussed? I ask this because I think it is important for physicians to be introduced to these techniques to consult with patients appropriately.

Any responces would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Dr_Jay_wannabe

(Freshman Pre-Med)

 

[LovelyRita]

At UHS-COM, we currently have no formal curriculum for CAM. We have occasional lectures on acupuncture and herbal remedies.

We have an Integrative Medicine Club, whose goal is to promote awareness to future physicians about CAM.

The good news is that UHS has applied for a grant from AMSA to implement a more formal curriculum for med students, agreeing with your point that physicians should be introduced to these concepts, especially since consumers spend billions on CAM for many conditions, many of which are minor, but some which are chronic conditions which conventional medicine was not able to improve.

It is important to understand, though, that DO's are not necessarily more turned on to CAM just because the philosophy is a whole-person approach. As a matter of fact, The University of Arizona's Program in Integrative Medicine is not open to DO students. I'm not sure why this is. As a DO, you will receive a conventional medical education. If you are interested in CAM you most likely will still have to learn on your own for the most part.

Good luck to you!
Mary

 

[Dr_Jay_wannabe]

I appreciate your responce. That integrative medicine club sounds cool, but I know that most of the educational aspects of CAM would have to be done outside of medical school. I just ask because I've read stories where doctors have learned acupuncture in medical school (Stanford in the book I read).

Anyway, I plan on doing some kind of residency or continual medical education program in CAM if I make it as a doctor. Like I said, I am only a freshman pre-med student, so I don't know what my future hold. I do know that I want to be a doctor, but I'm not going into that subject because that is obvious if I am registered at studentdoctor.net.

Thanks again.

Dr_Jay_wannabe

 

[wholehealth]

I can't believe University of Arizona does not allow DO's in their fellowship!! I am heart broken. There are DO's on staff there, so why can we not apply for fellowship?? Hopefully by the time I graduate, this will change.

As for Dr. Jay (Wannabe), I would focus my goal toward getting into an integrative medical curriculum if that is your interest. I have researched this ad nauseum, and can answer questions if you would like to PM me. A few colleges that have a great integration program (all m.d. unfortunately for me)...University of Arizona(you'd have to be stellar or change residency to Arizona), Duke (again, stellar x 3), Penn State, Case Western Reserve, and of course, Harvard (stellar and unique x 10) It seems that mostly the prestigious schools are going with the integration as of yet.

One other approach if you truly want the osteopathic philosophy is to do an FP residency, and then do two years at Bastyr naturopathic school (more $$$) as they have an advanced placement program. Naturopaths are only licensed in 12 states right now, but you could practice under your DO license. One advantage to this is that you would be trained in Western medicine fully, and also naturopathic medicine from a naturopathic approach. (There are other schools, but Bastyr is the most science based and does research with Harvard.)


Ok, enough....Good luck with this, and I am so glad to know there are young people engaging in this quest to shifting the consciousness of Americans. There is truly a fine balance