The training of medical students in the field of phytotherapy

Abstract

Now in its eigth year at the Medical University - Varna run elective course in the teaching discipline of Phytotherapy. Together with the study of medicinal plants and essential phytopreparations, during the course were monitored interests and attitudes of participants towards phytotherapy as a whole, and to individual phytotherapeutic methods and fields. At the end of each course in 2003 - 2011, a questionnaires were filled from the students-participants. Questionnaires and collected data are processed. According to them, average 94% of participants demonstrated considerable interest in the topics, and an average of 98% of the students wish to use phytopreparations in their future practice. Despite still tentative attitude of the Bulgarian phytotherapy for clinicians, medical students demonstrate a specific interest in the area of phytotherapy and willing to update their knowledge on it in the future. Given the increasing use of phytopharmaceuticals and phyto-supplements in the world is glad, that the future doctors have a very constructive attitude towards them. We believe it would be reasonable and practical to include some phytotherapeutic topics in the regular training in pharmacology. SSM, 2012;44(1):47-50