Complementary medicine education in Japanese medical schools: a survey.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the present state of complementary medicine (CM) education in Japanese medical schools.

DESIGN

This investigation consisted of two studies: (1) a telephone survey to curricular office workers in September 1998; and (2) a self-completed questionnaire to representatives of sponsoring departments in July 1999.

SETTINGS

All 80 medical schools for Western medicine.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Presence of a CM course and sponsoring department. Titles of courses and teaching methods.

RESULTS

The response rate to the telephone survey and self-completed questionnaire was 100 and 95%, respectively. Of 80 medical schools, CM was officially taught in 16 schools (20%). Of these 16 schools, there were 19 CM courses and the anesthesia department sponsored the most courses (six courses). All courses had oriental medicine titles such as acupuncture and Kampo except for one course.

CONCLUSION

Twenty per cent of Japanese Medical Schools taught CM with predominantly oriental medicine themes.