Family Medicine Resident Perspectives on Curricula in Herbal Medicine

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Despite widespread patient use, herbal and dietary supplement education is not required in US-accredited medical schools. Thus, physicians are unprepared to address supplement use with patients. Our objectives were to assess perceived adequacy of medical education on supplements, determine resident perspectives on appropriate placement of curricula in their longitudinal medical education, and evaluate the effects of an innovative workshop on family medicine resident knowledge about supplements and intentions to address this topic with patients. Methods: Family medicine residents (N=65) participated in an hour-long workshop covering basic concepts about herbal and dietary supplements, including regulations, literature review techniques, and risk/benefit analysis. The participants completed pre/postworkshop surveys to assess need for increased education and evaluate efficacy of the workshop. Results: Most participants (91.9%) thought they should have received more education than provided on supplements and perceived greater need for curricula in undergraduate medical education than in graduate medical education. Only 47.6% received required education on supplements, significantly less than the 72.6% who thought this education should be required (P<0.05). The workshop increased the proportion of residents planning to address patients’ supplement use, increased the frequency residents intend to ask about supplements, and improved resident perceptions of the efficacy of some supplements when used with physician guidance. Conclusions: Residents perceived a lack of adequate medical education on the use of herbal and dietary supplements. Results showed a brief workshop increased resident intentions to discuss supplement use with patients. Further education on supplement use may be warranted.