MedEdPORTAL (Nov 2009)
Resources for Developing and Integrating Innovative Curricula in Complementary and Alternative/Integrative Medicine
Abstract
Abstract This resource is intended to disseminate key information on integrative, complementary, and alternative medicine to medical educators, health professionals, students, faculty, researchers, and others interested in this evolving and important area of health care and medical education. Through introduction to the history and work of the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine, the learner will become aware of this academic community of health professionals dedicated to the mission to “help transform medicine and healthcare through rigorous scientific studies, new models of clinical care, and innovative educational programs that integrate biomedicine, the complexity of human beings, the intrinsic nature of healing and the rich diversity of therapeutic systems.” This web-based resource may serve to support curricular development and innovation for others working to advance the field of integrative, complementary, and alternative medicine. The resource has been presented at three of the AAMC Groups on Educational Affairs (GEA) regional meetings in April 2008, with excellent feedback from participants. As the resource was developed, we realized that key information and background content about the evolving field of complementary and integrative medicine, as well as the work and resources of the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine, are not readily summarized or available to many in the academic and educational health professions arena who may benefit from awareness and access to such information. We also learned from feedback from our three regional GEA presentations that the resource was regarded as very useful to those attending. Thus, to reach a wider audience, a submission to a journal such as MedEdPORTAL seemed a practical way to achieve this goal and help advance and share our work in the field.
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