Abstract

MEDICAL BARRIERS, DIFFERENT MODALITIES OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM) TO BE USED BY MEDICAL STUDENTS’, 2015

Sawsan M. Abdalla*, Mohamed A. Al mansour, Elsadig Y. Mohamed, Syed A. Meraj, Khalid A. Medani and Waqas S. Mohamed

ABSTRACT

Purpose• To identify modalities and to determine barriers toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among medical students at Majmaah University college of Medicine, Saudi Arabia. Method• the study was descriptive design. The population was the first and the second batches of medical students in the College of Medicine, Majmaah University, in Saudi Arabia. The sample size included total enumeration of the first and second batches of medical students who studded the CAM module. The data was collected by pre-tested questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS for Windows software. Results• Nearly all (91%) students agreed that “CAM includes ideas and methods from which medicine could benefit”; more than 85% agreed that “knowledge about CAM is important to me as a student/future practicing health professional”; Among all students, the most frequently indicated level of desired training was “sufficient to advise patients about use,” for 11 of the 15 modalities. Conclusions• Interest in and enthusiasm about CAM modalities was high in this sample; personal experience was much less prevalent. Students were in favor of CAM training in the curriculum to the extent that they could provide advice to patients; the largest proportions of the sample planned to endorse, refer patients for, or provide 8 of the 15 modalities surveyed in their future practice. (Altern Ther Health Med. 2007; 13(1): 30-35.)

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