Medical students’ knowledge, attitude, and practice of complementary and alternative medicine: a pre-and post-exposure survey in Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background

Evidently, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a recognized medical practice that efficiently uses multiple treatment therapies and techniques in the prevention and management of a variety of human disorders. Many medical schools have integrated CAM curriculum in medical education system worldwide. Research in knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of diverse health professionals exposed to CAM courses is important from many perspectives including improvement in KAP and teaching skills of faculty, together with capacity building and curriculum development.

Objective and setting

This pre- and post-design cross-sectional study aimed to assess CAM-KAP of two intakes of medical students in Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

The second-year medical students of the first (year 2012–2013) and second (year 2013–2014) intake (n=26 and 39, respectively) were selected for this study. A reliable, 16-item self-administered questionnaire was distributed among all the students for answering before and after the 48-hour CAM course. The data were analyzed using appropriate statistical test of significance.

Results

Medical students’ knowledge and attitude toward CAM significantly improved across some subitems of CAM questionnaire with a positive trend in the rest of its items including their views on CAM practices.

Conclusion

CAM course tends to have a positive impact on KAP of medical students. The preliminary results of this study call for further research with a larger sample in academic settings across the nation.

Keywords:

• traditional medical system
• medical schools
• undergraduate medical students
• curriculum
• Saudi Arabia

Acknowledgments

The NCCAM supported this study. College of Medicine, Majmaah University distributed the questionnaires to two intakes of second-year medical students, collected the data, and entered in the computer for analysis. Teachers affiliated to NCCAM and Majmaah University developed CAM curriculum and delivered the course to medical students.

Author contributions

Abdullah MN Al-Bedah and Mohammed Othman Al-Rukban conceptualized the paper design. Naseem Akhtar Qureshi, Mohammed Abdullah Al Mansour, Mohamed KM Khalil, Ibrahim S Elsubai, Elsadiq Yousif Mohamed, Khalid Altohami Medani, Waqas Sami Mahmoud, Ahmed Tawfik El Olemy, Asim AH Khalil, Abdullah Almudaiheem, and Meshari Saleh Alqaed made the literature search and helped in analyzing the data. Naseem Akhtar Qureshi drafted the paper and all authors critically revised it a number of times.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.