Helping medical schools prioritize CAM training and support: Lessons from the evaluation of a national initiative for curricula-change

US medical schools are preparing future physicians for the implications and applications of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in patient care. Educators are confronted with diverse curricula options and limited evidence to guide selection of content and methods of CAM education. A NIH-supported collaboration of schools and a national medical student association was established to develop, promote, and disseminate CAM education curricula and programs at allopathic and osteopathic medical institutions. The Collaborative developed and implemented a brief student survey to help participating schools understand and facilitate changes on their campus. Social marketing principles and lessons from similar medical school CAM assessments were used to develop a 45-item, 10-minute survey. The survey included quantitative and qualitative variables that were validated through the Collaborative's expert-panel advisory board and student pilot testing. Students responded through Internet and classroom versions of the survey to report on their experiences, preferences and recommendations for curricula topics and factors that may support CAM integration into medical education. Annual cross-sectional surveys were conduced with students in years 1 thru 4 from 2004 through 2007. Response rates varied from 19% to 96% (N=105 through 664). CAM use (of any type) ranged from 39% to 91% across years. Curricula topics rated as highest priority across years were how to advise patients about CAM risks/benefits and how to critique lay and academic evidence on CAM effectiveness. Findings illustrate how medical schools can use a practical survey approach to inform CAM curricula decisions.