Developing an integrative Medicine Elective for a Family Medicine Residency
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Publication Date
2025
Abstract
Background: Integrative medicine includes complementary and alternative (CAM) such as acupuncture, tai chi, yoga, vitamins, herbs, and other traditional healing practices. According to the CDC, 36.7% of Americans utilize CAMs. Because of this, integrative medicine experiences have become more common in medical residencies. We set out to design a four week integrative medicine elective for Providence Milwaukie Family Medicine Residency Program. Methods: A review of integrative medicine elective curricula from other medical residency programs was performed. A needs assessment was developed based on this review to generate possible learning objectives, learning experiences, and types of integrative medicine providers that residents would prefer to work with in an elective experience. The needs assessment was disseminated to all resident physicians at Providence Milwaukie Family Medicine Residency. Results: 80% of respondents indicated that they would be interested in participating in an integrative medicine elective. Residents identified observing how physicians incorporate integrative medicine into their practice as the most important learning objective. The most important learning activity to further learning about integrative medicine was working with integrative medicine providers. Residents identified physicians who use integrative medicine techniques, physicians who practice osteopathic manipulation, and naturopaths as providers who they would most like to work with during the elective. Conclusions: Residents have demonstrated clear interest in taking a four week integrative medicine elective. They identified that the most important learning experience would be to work with integrative medicine providers, particularly with physicians who incorporate integrative medicine into their practice. Current efforts are now underway to connect with physicians and other integrative medicine providers in the community so residents can work with them during the elective. These experiences will be paired with a core online didactive curriculum created by the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine.
Specialty/Research Institute
Graduate Medical Education
