CAM Education: Promoting a Salutogenic Focus in Health Care

Abstract

In discussing these themes, this paper explores how a shift in medical education toward a focus of understanding what is needed for the creation of health (salutogenesis) can bring balance to a curriculum that is currently weighted in teaching about the creation of disease (pathogenesis). Potential benefits, including reduced health care costs and improved quality of life for learners, are discussed.

Barriers to Testing and Treatment for Chagas Disease among Latino Immigrants in Georgia

“…Some of these alternative providers practiced forms of complementary and alternative medicines (homeopathic healers and herbalists) which are increasingly being incorporated into mainstream healthcare [33–35]. Existing educational modules for improving cultural sensitivity amongst health providers incorporate awareness of alternative medicines.…”

Resident-Initiated Integrative Medicine Curriculum in an Allopathic Family Medicine Residency

“…20 Integrative medicine programs at other institutions have used reflective journaling, mindfulness-based stress reduction, defining healing through the humanities (poetry/art), guided imagery, encouraging residents to define their own sense of spirituality, and other interventions to promote awareness about physician selfcare. 1,5,8 We included several of these ''self-care'' topics in our seminars ( Table 1). The following individual quotes from the evaluation process suggest that our program was able to create a sense of connectedness and support, which may have served as an antidote to burnout for regular participants: ''Reminded of my own values,'' ''Developed a sense of community within the residency,'' ''Thinking about self-care more often,'' ''Inspiring (keeps values and ideas alive during residency),'' and ''Something to look forward to.''…”

“…8 Currently, pathogenesis (disease-oriented care) is the focus of our medical education. Health-oriented care in a culture with epidemic rates of chronic diseases related to poor lifestyle choices and a core understanding of healing and prevention have many times been the subject of our discussions at the integrative medicine seminars.…”

“…Further training goals are to promote self-reflection and self-care, to learn to practice openminded skepticism, and to apply evidence-based principles to integrative medicine modalities. [5][6][7][8][9] Physicians with basic knowledge in integrative medicine can counsel interested patients regarding their options, determine whether a conventional or alternative therapy is a more effective and safer treatment option, and dissuade patients from undergoing an unsafe or ineffective modality. 7,10 A significant proportion of every physician's patient population uses integrative medicine modalities, but most do not disclose this to their physicians.…”

Salutogenesis

“…8 Physicians and nurses should receive training to specifically focus on promoting key multidimensional factors that influence and promote healing and wellness. 8 Physicians and nurses should receive training to specifically focus on promoting key multidimensional factors that influence and promote healing and wellness.…”