Medical education in non-conventional therapeutics in the world (homeopathy and acupuncture) - Revista de Homeopatia - Online Edition

Teixeira MZ. Medical education in non-conventional therapeutics in the world (homeopathy and acupuncture). Revista de Homeopatia (São Paulo. Online). 2017; 80 (3/4): 16-35. 

Disponível em: https://aph.org.br/revista/index.php/aph/article/view/407/486 / Portal Regional da BVS

Abstract

Introduction: Used as complementary to, alternating or integrated with mainstream medicine, the population’s demand for non-conventional therapies has substantially increased in the past decades, requiring from doctors knowledge on the basic notions of such therapeutics to orient their patients regarding treatments different to the ones they usually prescribe. Among them, homeopathy and acupuncture are considered medical specialties in Brazil for various decades. Aim: To describe the current state of medical education on non-conventional therapies (homeopathy and acupuncture) in the world. Methods: We updated data resulting from studies and reviews published until 2013 through a review of more recent studies included in database PubMed. Results: In all countries the teaching of non-conventional therapies is considered a relevant topic in the training of doctors as a function of the increasing interest of the public in their use, with a broad range of approaches targeting undergraduate and graduate students, medical residents and doctors engaged in other medical specialties. Conclusions: The Brazilian medical schools must provide undergraduate and graduate students and medical residents accurate knowledge on the theoretical assumptions and clinical-therapeutic approaches proper to homeopathy and acupuncture, among other non-conventional therapies.