Abstract
BackgroundA substantial proportion of healthcare professionals have inadequate understanding of traditional and complementary medicine and often consider their use inappropriate.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study to understand the perceptions and attitudes of medical students, medical school faculty and traditional and complementary medicine practitioners. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data. Thematic approach was used in data analysis to identify emerging themes and sub themes. Data analysis was supported with use of Atlas.ti v6.1.1.ResultsThe majority of participants commended the inclusion of traditional and complementary medicine principles into medical school curricula. The main reasons advanced were that: patients are already using these medicines and doctors need to understand them; doctors would be more accommodating to use and not rebuke patients, thereby minimizing delays in care due to pursuit of alternative therapies; promote patient safety; foster therapeutic alliance and adherence to therapy; uphold patients' right to self-determination; lead to discovery of new drugs from traditional medicines; and set ground for regulation of practices and quality control. However, participants anticipated operational and ethical challenges that include inadequate number of faculty to teach the subject, congested curricula, increased costs in research and development to produce evidence-base data, obstruction by pharmaceutical companies, inaccessibility to and depletion of medicinal plants, and potential conflicts due to diversity in culture and values. A substantial minority of participants thought traditional medicine need not be taught in medical schools because there is lack of scientific evidence on efficacy, safety, and side effects profiles. These shortfalls could make the determination of benefits (beneficence) and harm (maleficence) difficult, as well as compromise the ability of physicians to adequately disclose benefits and harms to patients and family, thereby undermining the process of informed consent and patient autonomy.ConclusionsTraining medical students in principles of traditional and complementary medicine is considered reasonable, feasible, and acceptable; and could lead to improvement in health outcomes. There are anticipated challenges to implementing a hybrid medical school curricula, but these are surmountable and need not delay introducing traditional and complementary medicine principles into medical school curricula in Uganda.
Highlights
Introduction of T&CM into the curricula was viewed as an opportunity to validate what is already being used based on beliefs and long tradition of use.“Yes, they should introduce it in the curriculum because most of the patients we receive if you ask them . . . Most of them have at least tried it (T&CM) before coming to the hospital
Traditional and complementary medicine practices are common in Uganda across a range of illnesses and people use them for various reasons including beliefs in intrinsic efficacy, long history of use, and perceived barriers to biomedical care [7,8,9,10]
We explored the attitudes and perceptions of medical students and their lecturers at Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS), and traditional health practitioners regarding the inclusion of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) theories and principles into medical school curricula in order to inform integration of T&CM and biomedical practices in Uganda
Summary
Introduction of T&CM into the curricula was viewed as an opportunity to validate what is already being used based on beliefs and long tradition of use.“Yes, they should introduce it in the curriculum because most of the patients we receive if you ask them . . . Most of them have at least tried it (T&CM) before coming to the hospital. Most of them have at least tried it (T&CM) before coming to the hospital It would be important if we could study them (T&CM) and help the patients understand that such and such a medicine (T&CM) has been approved to manage such and such a condition”, (P4, FGD_5th Year, Female). The use of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) has increased exponentially especially in the treatment of chronic illnesses including cancers [1]. Traditional and complementary medicine practices are common in Uganda across a range of illnesses and people use them for various reasons including beliefs in intrinsic efficacy, long history of use, and perceived barriers to biomedical care [7,8,9,10]. The strategies on traditional medicines aim to promote rational use of T&CM as well as increase access to the poor populations through improved availability and affordable quality T&CM regimens [12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
