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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
3257.0: Monday, December 12, 2005 - 2:30 PM

Abstract #106380

Exploring the Relevance of a Holistic Health Curriculum in Undergraduate General Education

Adam Burke, PhD, MPH, LAc1, Mary Beth Love, PhD2, and Erik Peper1. (1) Health Education/Institute for Holistic Healing Studies, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132, 415-338-1774, aburke@sfsu.edu, (2) Department of Health Education, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave, HSS 319, San Francisco, CA 94132

Objectives The US is witnessing dramatic growth in the use of complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM). More individuals are using CAM because of its cultural relevance, their dissatisfaction with conventional medicine, and their desire to find more integrative solutions to complex health problems. Currently the majority of MD programs in the US offer CAM courses in the curriculum, as do several nursing and public health programs. One challenge with this existing educational infrastructure is the focus on CAM curricular integration at the graduate level. This is inadequate for workforce preparation as many allied health professionals end their training at the bachelors level. To assess the utility of a relevant undergraduate curriculum the Holistic Health program in the San Francisco State University Department of Health Education was evaluated. Methods A 24-item online survey was administered to students enrolled in Holistic Health classes during Spring semester of 2004. The survey included questions on participant background, perceived benefits of taking Holistic Health courses, and satisfaction. Results Overall course content was viewed as relevant to both professional goals and personal growth. A high degree of satisfaction was noted. Conclusions Students find Holistic Health classes both personally and professionally meaningful. There is strong student commitment to the content and the concept presented in the SFSU curriculum. Among those students surveyed, there was overwhelming support for the creation of a Holistic Health major, which is essentially non-existent in the US at this time. Further assessment is needed to determine interest nationally and evaluate career relevant competencies.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Professional Education in Alternative and Complementary Health Practices

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA