Med Educ. 2001 Jan; 35(1): 73-7.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the undergraduate medical curriculum: the Southampton experience.

Owen D, Lewith GT.

School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.

OBJECTIVE: We describe the planning, development and evaluation of a special study module (SSM) on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as part of the Southampton Medical School undergraduate curriculum. AIM: To address how the module was received by students, the themes that emerged, the effect on student attitudes to CAM and how the teaching aims developed into learning objectives. METHOD: Student feedback questionnaires and regular teaching staff meetings over a period of 3 years. RESULTS: The course resulted in a significant change in student attitudes to CAM and was well received by the students. It offered a reflective insight into conventional medicine. We have developed and validated core teaching objectives. CONCLUSIONS: We hope that our well validated and well received core teaching objectives will provide a broadly applicable base for those who wish to run similar courses.