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dc.contributor.authorDonald, Graeme K
dc.contributor.authorMackereth, Peter A
dc.contributor.authorTobin, Irene
dc.date.accessioned2010-08-04T10:25:52Z
dc.date.available2010-08-04T10:25:52Z
dc.date.issued2010-03
dc.identifier.citationMedical students and acupuncture: a short sharp placement experience! 2010, 28 (1):12-5 Acupunct Meden
dc.identifier.issn0964-5284
dc.identifier.pmid20351370
dc.identifier.doi10.1136/aim.2009.001602
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10541/109004
dc.description.abstractBACKGROUND: Acupuncture and other complementary therapies (CTs) have become increasingly popular, with patients calling for more integrated care. It is questionable whether doctors know enough about these therapies to provide balanced and informed advice to patients and, given that most will come across patients accessing CTs, this is an area of concern. METHOD: This was an exploratory study of 40 students attending a placement at a CT service within an acute hospital trust in the UK. A questionnaire was given at the start of placement to record their scepticism towards CTs on a 0-10 scale and again, on placement completion. RESULT: Of the students attending, 73% (n=29) completed the questionnaire. There was a statistically significant reduction in scepticism scores assessed before and after placement (p<0.001). Of the respondents, 90% (n=26) were shown or attempted acupuncture. 76% of students reported that the placement would definitely influence the rate of CT referrals in their future practice. CONCLUSION: The placement experience provided students an opportunity to reconsider their attitudes towards CTs. The study was limited to one site and students independently elected to participate in the experience. Similar exposure could be of value to the wider medical student population, ultimately leading to more informed advice available to patients. Future research should include greater numbers, which could include a multi-site study.
dc.language.isoenen
dc.subject.meshAcupuncture
dc.subject.meshAcupuncture Therapy
dc.subject.meshAdult
dc.subject.meshAttitude of Health Personnel
dc.subject.meshClinical Clerkship
dc.subject.meshClinical Competence
dc.subject.meshCurriculum
dc.subject.meshFemale
dc.subject.meshGreat Britain
dc.subject.meshHospitals, Teaching
dc.subject.meshHumans
dc.subject.meshMale
dc.subject.meshMiddle Aged
dc.subject.meshQuestionnaires
dc.subject.meshStudents, Medical
dc.titleMedical students and acupuncture: a short sharp placement experience!en
dc.typeArticleen
dc.contributor.departmentComplementary Therapy Service, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK. graeme.donald@christie.nhs.uken
dc.identifier.journalAcupuncture in Medicineen
html.description.abstractBACKGROUND: Acupuncture and other complementary therapies (CTs) have become increasingly popular, with patients calling for more integrated care. It is questionable whether doctors know enough about these therapies to provide balanced and informed advice to patients and, given that most will come across patients accessing CTs, this is an area of concern. METHOD: This was an exploratory study of 40 students attending a placement at a CT service within an acute hospital trust in the UK. A questionnaire was given at the start of placement to record their scepticism towards CTs on a 0-10 scale and again, on placement completion. RESULT: Of the students attending, 73% (n=29) completed the questionnaire. There was a statistically significant reduction in scepticism scores assessed before and after placement (p<0.001). Of the respondents, 90% (n=26) were shown or attempted acupuncture. 76% of students reported that the placement would definitely influence the rate of CT referrals in their future practice. CONCLUSION: The placement experience provided students an opportunity to reconsider their attitudes towards CTs. The study was limited to one site and students independently elected to participate in the experience. Similar exposure could be of value to the wider medical student population, ultimately leading to more informed advice available to patients. Future research should include greater numbers, which could include a multi-site study.


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