Multimedia Fitosotf: Una fuente para el aprendizaje de la Medicina Natural y Tradicional / Multimedia Fitosotf: A source for learning Natural and Traditional Medicine

Introducción: La medicina natural es una disciplina capaz de transformar la manera de ver la medicina, la vida y el universo mismo. La práctica es tan antigua como la humanidad. Es la ciencia cuyo objetivo es el conocimiento y el manejo de las actividades que permiten la restitución, fomento y promoción de la salud, considerando los aspectos ecológicos, sociales, mentales, físicos y espirituales. Objetivo: Realizar una multimedia para el conocimiento sobre la Medicina Natural y Tradicional, dirigido a los estudiantes de 3er año de medicina de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de Bayamo. Diseño Metodológico: La multimedia fue realizada en septiembre-diciembre del 2019, con la aplicación de las herramientas: JClic Author y Gimpshop con licencia GPL/ Linux. Para determinar su efectividad, se realizó un estudio cuasi-experimental sin grupo control mediante encuestas a estudiantes. El universo constituye todos los estudiantes de 3er año de la carrera de Medicina (218) y la muestra conformada por 60 estudiantes seleccionados por muestreo aleatorio simple. Resultados: Antes de aplicar la multimedia 21 estudiantes reflejaron un bajo nivel de conocimientos, para un 70%.Después de utilizar el producto informático, 27 de los encuestados mostraron un alto nivel conocimientos, lo que representa un 90%. Conclusiones: La multimedia realizada resulta de gran valor al potenciar el conocimiento en los estudiantes de medicina sobre la Medicina Natural y Tradicional, con transformación renovadora en la salud de la comunidad.

Design of a Multidisciplinary Training Program in Complementary and Integrative Health Clinical Research: Building Research Across Interdisciplinary Gaps.

Despite wide use by the public, limited evidence is available for many complementary and integrative health (CIH) practices. Thus, clinical researchers knowledgeable about CIH disciplines are necessary to study the efficacy and effectiveness of CIH practices to benefit the public health. To partially address the need for clinical researchers versed in CIH, the authors of this study report the design of an interprofessional clinical research training program focused on CIH, the Building Research across Interdisciplinary Gaps (BRIDG) program, supported by a 5-year T90/R90 grant from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. The T90-supported arm of the program trains doctoral-level CIH providers in clinical research at the research-intensive University of Washington. The R90-supported arm of the program trains researchers with conventional backgrounds in the practices of CIH at the clinic-intensive National University of Natural Medicine. The "Translational Science Spectrum" provides a common conceptual framework for both programs. Specific program elements include: individualized didactic training in clinical research and CIH disciplines; placement with clinical research mentors; placement with clinical mentors in CIH disciplines; shared and independent research project development; and interdisciplinary experiences through seminars and retreats. Program evaluation includes annual completion of the Clinical Research Appraisal Inventory (CRAI), which queries confidence in research skills and methods and periodic evaluation of training elements using the Supplemental Kellogg Logic-World Health Organization model, which emphasizes relevance, adequacy, efficiency, effectiveness, process, impact, equity, and sustainability. The BRIDG program exemplifies a new standard in interprofessional clinical research training, made possible through strong collaboration between disparate research- and clinically intensive institutions.

Complementary and integrative therapies in the scope of nursing: legal aspects and academic-assistance panorama / Prácticas integradoras y complementarias en el ámbito de la enfermería: aspectos legales y panorama académico-asistencial / Práticas integrativas e complementares no âmbito da enfermagem: aspectos legais e panorama acadêmico-assistencial

ABSTRACT Objective: to carry out a documentary study on the legal aspects that support the nurses' performance in the Integrative and Complementary Practices (PIC) and to discuss the panorama of teaching, research, extension and nursing activities in front of PICs. Method: documentary study, whose units of analysis were normative, guidelines, recommendations and clarification notes (n = 17). The data were organized into two categories: "Legal aspects of nurses' performance in ICP and acupuncture" and "Overview of the use of ICPs by nursing in the areas of teaching, research, extension and assistance activities". Results: nurses stand out in the implementation of PIC since the principles of training are congruent to the paradigms of this science, besides having legal support for acting in public and private services in Brazil. There is an incipient movement of nurses working in research and extension in universities, which contributes to the diffusion of knowledge and application of therapies in the community. Conclusion: the institutionalization of PICs in the Unified Health System has increased access and contributed to the provision of comprehensive and multidisciplinary health services. Implications for practice: with ICPs, nurses have achieved autonomy and the possibility of expanding their performance, aiming at a better quality of care.

RESUMEN Objetivo: realizar un estudio documental sobre los aspectos legales que respaldan la actuación del enfermero en las Prácticas Integradoras y Complementarias (PIC) y discurrir sobre el panorama de la enseñanza, investigación, las actividades extensionistas y asistenciales de la Enfermería frente a las PIC. Método: estudio documental, cuyas unidades de análisis fueron normativas, directrices, recomendaciones y notas de aclaración (n = 17). Se organizaron los datos en dos categorías: "Aspectos legales de la actuación del Enfermero en las PIC y en la acupuntura" y "Panorama de la utilización de las PIC por la enfermería en las áreas de enseñanza, investigación, actividades extensionistas y asistenciales". Resultados: los enfermeros se destacan en la implementación de las PIC, ya que los principios de formación son congruentes a los paradigmas de esta ciencia, además de poseer respaldo legal para actuación en servicios públicos y privados en Brasil. Hay un movimiento incipiente de enfermeros actuando en investigaciones y extensión en las universidades, lo que contribuye a la difusión del conocimiento e implementación de terapias en la comunidad. Conclusión: la institucionalización de las PIC en el Sistema Único de Salud amplió el acceso y contribuye a una disponibilidad de servicios de salud integral y multidisciplinar. Implicaciones para la práctica: con las PIC los enfermeros han alcanzado autonomía y la posibilidad de expandir su actuación, con vistas a una mejor calidad del cuidado.

RESUMO Objetivo: Realizar estudo documental sobre os aspectos legais que respaldam a atuação do enfermeiro nas Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PIC) e discorrer sobre o panorama do ensino, pesquisa, atividades extensionistas e assistenciais da Enfermagem frente às PIC. Método: Estudo documental, cujas unidades de análise foram normativas, diretrizes, recomendações e notas de esclarecimento (n=17). Os dados foram organizados em duas categorias: "Aspectos legais da atuação do Enfermeiro nas PIC e na acupuntura" e "Panorama da utilização das PIC pela enfermagem nas áreas de ensino, pesquisa, atividades extensionistas e assistenciais". Resultados: Os enfermeiros se destacam na implementação das PIC uma vez que os princípios de formação são congruentes aos paradigmas dessa ciência, além de possuírem respaldo legal para atuação em serviços públicos e privados no Brasil. Há um movimento incipiente de enfermeiros atuando em pesquisas e extensão nas universidades, o que contribui para difusão do conhecimento e aplicação das terapias na comunidade. Conclusão: A institucionalização das PIC no Sistema Único de Saúde ampliou o acesso e tem contribuído para disponibilização de serviços de saúde integral e multidisciplinares. Implicações para prática: Com as PIC os enfermeiros têm alcançado autonomia e possibilidade de expansão de sua atuação, com vistas à melhor qualidade do cuidado.

Use of Complementary Health Practices in a Church-Based African American Cohort.

Objectives: Few studies have examined the use of complementary health practices (e.g., mind/body practices and dietary supplements) among African Americans, particularly those who identify as being spiritual and/or religious. Furthermore, research on the health and health behavior profiles of such complementary health users is scant. The purpose of this study was to explore the use of complementary health practices and their lifestyle and health indicator correlates in a large, church-based African American population. Design: Cross-sectional analysis of 1467 African American adults drawn from a church-based cohort study. Participants reported use of complementary health practices, lifestyle behaviors (e.g., diet and smoking status), and health indicators (e.g., physical health and medical problems). Multiple logistic regressions were conducted to examine associations between lifestyle variables, health indicators, and use of complementary health practices. Outcome measures: Outcomes included prevalence of mind/body practices (e.g., meditation and Reiki) and dietary supplements (multivitamins) along with health indicator and lifestyle correlates of use. Results: Use of complementary health practices was high; 40% reported using any mind/body practice and 50% reported using dietary supplements. Poorer physical health was associated with use of mind/body practices, while likelihood of meeting fruit and vegetable recommendations was significantly associated with dietary supplement use. Conclusions: Complementary health practices were used heavily in a church-based sample of African American adults. Poorer physical health was associated with use of complementary health practices, yet users also displayed health conscious behaviors. Given the high engagement in complementary health practices, it may be prudent to consider adapting complementary health approaches for use in wellness interventions targeting African Americans in faith-based settings.

Non-conventional practice versus evidence-based medicine. A scientific and ethical analysis of the Italian regulation.

BACKGROUND: The current lack of scientific validation of non-conventional treatments in medicine, whose epistemological foundations lie in scientific evidence and experimentation, raises significant questions regarding the costs and benefits of alternative-treatment forms. Nonetheless, in the last few decades non-conventional treatments have been increasingly recognised by the Italian medical profession, with one regional healthcare administration adopting some non-conventional practices as part of its conventional healthcare services. AIMS: The Authors aim to analyse non-conventional treatments in medicine from an epistemological, cultural, ethical, political and economic point of view, in order to highlight criticalities and incongruities, especially when these treatments are approved by a public healthcare system, which should be grounded on the "evidence-based medicine" principle. CONCLUSIONS: Non-conventional treatments in medicine are constituted by meta-theories, i.e. philosophical, religious and ideological concepts that conflict with contemporary rational, empirical medicine. In the interest of patients and society, the paper stresses the incongruity of a healthcare system which, despite being grounded on the "evidence-based medicine" principle, allows the development of non conventional treatments. Having said that, medical science should address not only the biological domain of illness but also its existential implications. Awareness and respect for the individual experience can undoubtedly lead to a new medical model that allows for a more effective therapeutic intervention.

Pediatric Integrative Medicine.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is dedicated to optimizing the well-being of children and advancing family-centered health care. Related to this mission, the American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes the increasing use of complementary and integrative therapies for children and the subsequent need to provide reliable information and high-quality clinical resources to support pediatricians. This Clinical Report serves as an update to the original 2008 statement on complementary medicine. The range of complementary therapies is both extensive and diverse. Therefore, in-depth discussion of each therapy or product is beyond the scope of this report. Instead, our intentions are to define terms; describe epidemiology of use; outline common types of complementary therapies; review medicolegal, ethical, and research implications; review education and training for select providers of complementary therapies; provide educational resources; and suggest communication strategies for discussing complementary therapies with patients and families.

Addressing holistic healthcare needs of oncology patients: Implementation and evaluation of a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) course within an elective module designed for healthcare professionals.

BACKGROUND: Patients, and especially oncology patients, increasingly demand information and application of complementary therapies to supplement their conventional medical treatment and follow-up care. Due to the widespread interest in holistic treatment opportunities in oncology populations, healthcare professionals need to be prepared in differentiating evidence-based methods of the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) spectrum and how to consult with patients about it. OBJECTIVE: This paper reports on the implementation and evaluation of a newly designed module "Complementary and Alternative Medicine in oncological healthcare" in the bachelor degree program Interprofessional Health Care (B.Sc.). DESIGN: The study applied a developed evaluation questionnaire to capture students' perspectives on the CAM contents. This assessment instrument was administered pre and post the CAM teaching unit. SETTING: Interprofessional medical education, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany. RESULTS: The integration of the CAM elective module was possible and was met by positive response. Students' interest was reflected in an increase of their self-reported knowledge gain and positive CAM attitude. Comparison of pre and post evaluation data demonstrate that, particularly, students' expectations on developing their own opinion about CAM, and getting an overview of the evidence-base of different CAM methods have been met. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation results indicate that the module content was in line with the students' expectations and may have positively impacted on their general CAM attitude. The results support us in continuing to offer this CAM course within the elective module to prepare today's healthcare professionals for patient-oriented healthcare delivery.

[Complementary medicine in Israel].

Over the past two decades there has been an increase in the use and popularity of complementary medicine in Israel. Currently, there are over 100 complementary medicine clinics in the public health sector supported by the four health funds and most hospitals in Israel. The number of visits to those clinics reaches close to 3 million visits annually. This reflects an extensive system of care that Israelis utilize in addition to the conventional heaLthcare system. However, the communication between the two systems is still Limited and the education of complementary medicine providers is not regulated by the Ministry of Health. Concurrently, there are a growing number of physicians who expand the knowledge on these therapies and actually integrate them in patients' care. This issue describes experiences and knowledge related to the integration of complementary medicine in the Israeli healthcare system and provides additional research data in support of further integration of complementary medicine within conventional healthcare.

Awareness, use, attitude and perceived need for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) education among undergraduate pharmacy students in Sierra Leone: a descriptive cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: The widespread use of CAM around the world requires health professionals including pharmacists to have the required knowledge to better advise their patients. This has lead to an increased need for the inclusion of CAM instruction into the mainstream undergraduate Pharmacy education. This study was designed to describe pharmacy students awareness, use, attitude and perceived need for CAM education at COMAHS-USL and at the same time, determine how these descriptive outcomes are influenced by the socio-demographic variables considered in this study. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate pharmacy students (n = 90) at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone using a structured questionnaire. Chi square, fisher exact test, and general linear model univariate analysis were used to compare data between independent cohorts. RESULTS: All 90 (100%) of the students were aware and have used (except Ayurveda) at least one of the listed CAM modalities. Herbal/Botanical/Supplements followed by Spirituality/Prayer were the most commonly known and used CAM modalities. Almost two thirds of students considered the CAM modalities they have used to be effective and not harmful. Overall, pharmacy students had a positive attitude towards CAM (Mean attitudinal score = 34.9 ± 4. 5 (range 19-43)) with fourth and fifth year students showing a significantly less positive attitude as compared to the first, second and third year (B = -3.203 p = 0.001, 95% confidence interval -5.093 to -1.314). The media [53 (58.9%)] was the most frequent source of information about CAM. Nearly all students [89 (98.9%)] agreed that CAM knowledge is important to them as future pharmacist and that CAM should be included into the Pharmacy curriculum at COMAHS-USL [81 (90.0%)]. CONCLUSION: Pharmacy students in Sierra Leone are aware of and have used at least one of the CAM modalities and do show a positive attitude towards CAM. This was demonstrated by their overwhelming endorsement for CAM course to be part of the undergraduate pharmacy training at COMAHS-USL. This study among others will inform and guide the development and implementation of CAM instruction at COMAHS-USL.

Competencies for optimal practice in integrated environments: examining attributes of a consensus interprofessional practice document from the licensed integrative health disciplines.

INTRODUCTION: The Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care (ACCAHC) is committed to advancing human health through the advancement and integration of the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) professions within the American healthcare system. This will involve the maturation and integration of the licensed CAM professions into conventional healthcare delivery, and in turn, it will involve the development of competency in integrative healthcare and interprofessional education within the CAM professions. METHOD AND RESULTS: In 2010, ACCAHC resolved to identify the competencies necessary for this transformation, and in the process, discovered a parallel process of competency development within conventional healthcare, the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC), representing the six major conventional healthcare professions. DISCUSSION: The ACCAHC competency document, its development, and its similarity to the IPEC document are discussed. The ACCAHC competency document identified two domains of competence that were not present in the IPEC document: evidence-informed practice and institutional healthcare practices. These two domains of competency are discussed with respect to their significance in both CAM and conventional healthcare practices. CONCLUSION: ACCAHC's goal is to foster collaboration among its member professions and with conventional healthcare professions, and to use these competency documents to improve and optimize healthcare delivery, practices, and outcomes in America. It is hoped that ACCAHC's competency document will catalyze interaction with IPEC leading to the adoption of a single shared competency document that will meet the needs of all healthcare providers and educators.

[Cooperation between physicians and non-medically trained practitioners: advantages and obstacles]. / Möglichkeiten und Grenzen einer Zusammenarbeit mit Heilpraktikern aus ärztlicher Sicht.

BACKGROUND: In Germany, not only physicians are allowed to practice medicine but also non-medically trained practitioners, so-called Heilpraktiker, can obtain a licensure to treat patients. In contrast to cooperation between doctors, a division of tasks and responsibilities between non-medically trained practitioners and physicians seems to be difficult. The aim of the study was to clarify to what extent doctors in private practice are willing to cooperate with non-medically trained practitioners. At the same time, conditions, opportunities, and obstacles of cooperation are described. METHODS: In order to evaluate the willingness to collaborate with non-medically trained practitioners, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 physicians and 2 dentists in an outpatient setting. The interviews further focused on conditions, advantages, and obstacles to cooperation. The interviews were transcribed literally and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The interviews showed that physicians partly are willing to cooperate with non-medically trained practitioners, but there were strict conditions and also some serious obstacles to cooperation. Doctors who are open-minded about collaboration consider non-medically trained practitioners as additional therapists for minor ailments. Non-medically trained practitioners would have to respect their limitations, and health insurances should launch transparent contracts for remuneration and reimbursement. Physicians showed low confidence in training programs for Heilpraktiker. Additionally, it was thought to be harmful when non-medically trained practitioners interfere with the physician-patient relationship and try to interrupt conventional treatment or medication. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative research is necessary to quantify data and generalize results from the sample to the population of physicians. Further, the willingness of non-medically trained practitioners to collaborate with physicians should be evaluated. Physicians should try to reduce communication obstacles so that patients can speak frankly about consultations of non-medically trained practitioners.

[Academization of naturopathy and complementary medicine in the German language area]. / Die Akademisierung von Naturheilkunde und Komplementärmedizin im deutschsprachigen Raum.

Nowadays, it seems evident that natural and complementary medicine is represented amongst medical faculties. This was not always the case. Especially in the German speaking countries, more than 100 years of history were necessary. A short history of those academic developments that explicitly led to present day activities in naturopathy and complementary medicine is given by descriptions of persons and institutions. At present, 8 professorships dedicated to either naturopathy or complementary medicine or both could be identified in German speaking countries, thus representing academic medicine at its highest levels. Naturopathy and complementary medicine had received a strong reception in academic medicine. However, the vast majority of present day activities is financed by non-profit organizations and thus depends on their economic development.

[The situation of complementary medicine in Germany]. / Zur lage der komplementärmedizin in Deutschland.

With the amendment of the German Medicinal Products Act in 1976 and the inclusion of naturopathy and homeopathy into the German Medical Licensure Act from 1988, the German government set up a comparatively favorable framework for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). But no comprehensive integration into the academic operating systems followed, because the universities as well as the legislative body seemed to have no further interest in CAM. Therefore, research projects in the field and suitable professorships had and still have to be financed by third-party funds. Notwithstanding the success of several CAM-projects, no sustainable development could be established: When the third-party funding runs off and the protagonists retire the institutional structures are supposed to vanish as well. Although the public demand for CAM is high in Germany, the administration detached homeopathy as a compulsory subject from the German Medical Licensure Act in 2002 and restricted severely the refunding of naturopathic medicines by the statutory health insurance in 2004. Moreover, the trend for CAM bashing takes root in the media. Unfortunately the CAM scene does not close ranks and is incapable to implement fundamental data collection processes into daily clinical routine: A wide range of data could justify further efforts to the government as well as to the scientific community. To say something positive, it must be mentioned that the scientific standard of CAM research is high for the most part and that third-party funded projects deliver remarkable results ever and on.

CAM practitioners in the Australian health workforce: an underutilized resource.

BACKGROUND: CAM practitioners are a valuable but underutilizes resource in Australian health care. Despite increasing public support for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) little is known about the CAM workforce. Apart from the registered professions of chiropractic, osteopathy and Chinese medicine, accurate information about the number of CAM practitioners in the workforce has been difficult to obtain. It appears that many non-registered CAM practitioners, although highly qualified, are not working to their full capacity. DISCUSSION: Increasing public endorsement of CAM stands in contrast to the negative attitude toward the CAM workforce by some members of the medical and other health professions and by government policy makers. The marginalisation of the CAM workforce is evident in prejudicial attitudes held by some members of the medical and other health professions and its exclusion from government policy making. Inconsistent educational standards has meant that non-registered CAM practitioners, including highly qualified and competent ones, are frequently overlooked. Legitimising their contribution to the health workforce could alleviate workforce shortages and provide opportunities for redesigned job roles and new multidisciplinary teams. Priorities for better utilisation of the CAM workforce include establishing a guaranteed minimum education standard for more CAM occupation groups through national registration, providing interprofessional education that includes CAM practitioners, developing courses to upgrade CAM practitioners' professional skills in areas of indentified need, and increasing support for CAM research. SUMMARY: Marginalisation of the CAM workforce has disadvantaged those qualified and competent CAM practitioners who practise evidence-informed medicine on the basis of many years of university training. Legitimising and expanding the important contribution of CAM practitioners could alleviate projected health workforce shortages, particularly for the prevention and management of chronic health conditions and for health promotion.

Complementary and alternative medicine in the undergraduate medical curriculum: a survey of Korean medical schools.

BACKGROUND: The current status of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) education in Korean medical schools is still largely unknown, despite a growing need for a CAM component in medical education. The prevalence, scope, and diversity of CAM courses in Korean medical school education were evaluated. DESIGN: Participants included academic or curriculum deans and faculty at each of the 41 Korean medical schools. A mail survey was conducted from 2007 to 2010. Replies were received from all 41 schools. RESULTS: CAM was officially taught at 35 schools (85.4%), and 32 schools (91.4%) provided academic credit for CAM courses. The most common courses were introduction to CAM or integrative medicine (88.6%), traditional Korean medicine (57.1%), homeopathy and naturopathy (31.4%), and acupuncture (28.6%). Educational formats included lectures by professors and lectures and/or demonstrations by practitioners. The value order of core competencies was attitude (40/41), knowledge (32/41), and skill (6/41). Reasons for not initiating a CAM curriculum were a non-evidence-based approach in assessing the efficacy of CAM, insufficiently reliable reference resources, and insufficient time to educate students in CAM. CONCLUSIONS: This survey reveals heterogeneity in the content, format, and requirements among CAM courses at Korean medical schools. Korean medical school students should be instructed in CAM with a more consistent educational approach to help patients who participate in or demand CAM.