Researchers surveying 78 third-year medical students at the University of South Florida (USF) report that "most of the students had insufficient knowledge or understanding of the safety" of CAM modalities. This was hardly surprising information, considering that USF does not offer a course on CAM therapies. Despite their lack of education on CAM therapies, two-thirds of the students said they had a basic understanding of four of the 10 CAM modalities (massage, herbal medicine, meditation, and chiropractic).
While the respondents agreed that medical care could benefit from CAM therapies, 39 percent said they would actively dissuade their patients from using chiropractic.
The researchers concluded: "Including CAM topics in the medical school curriculum would better prepare physicians to respond to patient inquiries about CAM and thereby to fulfill their role as patient advocates."
Reference
- Chez RA, Jonas WB, Crawford C. A survey of medical students' opinions about complementary and alternative medicine. Am J Obstet Gyn 2001;185(3): 754-757.
DC's Office in Hospital Rotation Bradley Weiss,DC, reports that the Fletcher Allen Health Care (FAHC) Family Practice Residency program now includes his chiropractic office as part of its orthopedic rotation. FAHC is located in Burlington, Vermont, and is the state's largest hospital.
"The first few residents were very enthusiastic about their experience. They now have a better understanding of what chiropractors do and the conditions we treat,"said Dr. Weiss, the first chiropractor to receive hospital privileges at FAHC.
Dr. Weiss is past president of the Vermont Chiropractic Association, and a former VCA "Chiropractor of the Year."
Charity Event in D.C. Andrew Mowry,DC, of Powell, Ohio has been invited to the 2001 National Charity Awards dinner in Washington, D.C. December 6. The honorary chairpersons of the event are President Bush and Laura Bush. Proceeds of the event will go to the "Heros of September 11" relief fund.
The charity event is the creation of Mercy Corps International to help support the children who lost parents in the terrorist attacks.
"I have set up my foundation (Central Ohio Health Awareness Foundation) to accept donations for this particular relief fund," explained Dr. Mowry. "I'm inviting my peers to respond by sending in a donation. It would be my privilege to hand deliver a check on behalf of chiropractors nationwide to this benefit."
Dr. Mowry is also inviting feedback on setting up a national discount program for chiropractic services for police officers and firefighters.
For more information, contact Dr. Mowry at (614) 436-0058.
Governor Thanks Chiropractic Missouri Gov. Bob Holden signed the "Spinal Health Proclamation" in Jefferson City on October 4, 2001 as part of "Spinal Health Month" in Missouri.
Chuck Portwood,DC, reports that the governor personally thanked the chiropractic profession for helping his father, and for caring for the thousands of Missourians who seek chiropractic care.
Dr. Portwood expressed his appreciation to Kathleen Jones for her work in organizing Spinal Health Month, and to the doctors who attended the proclamation signing, including DCs Scott, Mathias, Kayser, and Kelling.
