A survey of medical students' opinions about complementary and alternativemedicine

OBJECTIVE: We wished to determine third-year medical students' opinions and knowledge related to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a sch ool with no formal or elective course on the subject. STUDY DESIGN: A questionnaire was offered to third-year medical students du ring their 8-week rotation on obstetrics and gynecology. RESULTS: Most students had been exposed to CAM therapies, knew that the maj ority of the American public was using CAM, believed that some CAM interven tions were useful, and did not believe CAM therapies were a threat to publi c health. Most students had insufficient knowledge or understanding of the safety or lack of it for 10 of the more common CAM modalities. Most respond ents thought these interventions were useful, but would not refer the patie nt nor dissuade her from using them. There were no significant differences in responses between men and women or related to the time in the year of th e clerkship. CONCLUSION: Medical students in this school self-identified an interest abo ut the clinical usefulness of 10 CAM modalities, but did not have sufficien t knowledge about the safety for 10 of the more common CAM modalities. Incl uding CAM topics in the medical school curriculum would better prepare phys icians to respond to patient inquiries about CAM and thereby to fulfill the ir role as patient advocates.