Overview to Complementary Therapies and Healing Practices (Out of Print)

Abstract

Abstract This web-based tutorial seeks to educate health care providers about complementary therapies and healing practices. Written and reviewed by experts drawn from the University of Minnesota Medical School and community, it meets competencies for medical, nursing and pharmacy education. Organized into sections, the self-study modules provide a discussion of the historical and political background of this field, a summary of the evidence base, and practical suggestions on what health care professionals can do to address complementary therapies in their practices. The module has interactive features, including audio and video, links to relevant organizations, a list of comprehensive references. The module concludes with a self-assessment quiz based on the learning objectives. The materials offer important information on complementary therapies, of which there is very little generally available. The online format matches well with new models of medical education that emphasize individualized learning and innovative tools. Online learning offers great flexibility to faculty and students. It was discovered that the individual online tutorials can be used in different courses in multiple ways. Some faculty replace a reading assignment or class lecture with the online tutorial, then use class time for discussions arising from the tutorial. Other faculty use the tutorial as a resource for class projects. The tutorial is designed to allow direct access to any section, so learners can quickly find information relevant to their immediate needs.

Keywords

• EBM
• CAM