Complementary medicine education in Japanese medical schools: a survey

Abstract

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.