Building bridges: qualitative assessment of a clinical faculty exchange between a naturopathic and an allopathic medical training program.

Research Question: What are the perceived benefits of a clinical exchange experience designed as part of a program to promote acceptance and use of evidence-based medicine (EBM) in naturopathic clinical practice?

Methods: Nine faculty members participated in a focus group (n = 6) or a structured interview (n = 3) to assess experience in the program. Investigators independently analyzed transcribed notes for common experience themes. ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION: Six major themes emerged: integrating EBM into naturopathic clinical teaching, strengthening of professional relationships, exposure to clinical experiences outside the usual naturopathic scope, reaffirmation of naturopathic training and profession, observation of clinical and administrative resources and practices, and recommendations for future clinical exchanges.

Main Results: A clinical exchange experience was viewed as a favorable way to promote EBM appreciation within the complementary and alternative medicine educational community and to foster improved clinical experiences for faculty and their students and patients.