title: Longitudinal survey on integrative medicine education at an underserved health centre.
abstract: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used by adults in the USA. However, most physicians do not inquire about CAM use leading to missed opportunities to dialogue about wellness and detect harmful practices. In 2012, an integrative medicine (IM) consultation clinic alongside an optional IM Residency Track for family medicine residents was established at the University of California, Irvine Family Health Center in Santa Ana, CA. This study evaluated the impact of these programmes on physicians' CAM/IM knowledge and receptiveness. Online surveys assessing self-reported attitudes, knowledge and practices were distributed in 2012 (baseline) and 2014 (follow-up) to family physicians with response rates of 83% (35/42) and 62% (23/37), respectively. At baseline, 91.5% of physicians believed that patient satisfaction would moderately/strongly increase if offered CAM/IM consultations and therapies. At follow- up, physician understanding of clinical applications of massage, acupuncture, meditation/relaxation, yoga and Tai Chi increased. Percentage of physician referrals to a CAM/IM consultation clinic increased (5.7- 69.6%; p < 0.01) as well as physician-initiated CAM/IM discussion (20.0-60.9%; p < 0.01). This study demonstrates the immediate effect of IM education in a primary care training site and the receptiveness of its community-based physicians towards these changes.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Family Medicine , Irvine School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA.|b Department of Medicine , University of Arizona College of Medicine , Tucson , CA.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: a Department of Family Medicine , Irvine School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA.
authors.forename: Jannett
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: a Department of Family Medicine , Irvine School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA.|c Department of Family Medicine , Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California , Los Angeles , CA.
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: a Department of Family Medicine , Irvine School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA.
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Kilgore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002140:California; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000193:education*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D055048:Integrative Medicine / Q000193:education*; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010820:Physicians; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Integrative medicine; family medicine; medical education; residency