Changes in Japanese Medical Students' Attitudes Toward Traditional Japanese Medicine over the Course of Medical School.

Objective: No report of newly enrolled medical students discusses their attitudes toward traditional Japanese medicine (TJM), Kampo medicine, or acupuncture and moxibustion (AM), or their changes over the course of medical school. This study evaluates these changing attitudes.

Methods: At Tokai University School of Medicine, from 2006 through 2015, 852 students were analyzed 3 times, pre-1st-year introduction Kampo lecture, pre-4th-year 6-hour lectures, and post-3-hour experience-based learning (EBL) course. The 7-item questionnaire included: general impression about Kampo medicine, interest, learning motivation, future involvement, and image, interest in AM, and learning motivation.

Results: Their attitudes toward TJM became positive during the 3 years even without TJM education. The 4th-year TJM lectures and EBL course significantly changed their attitudes toward more positive. Females' attitudes were more positive regarding TJM from the 1st year than were the males which became more positive after the EBL course. Students with TJM learning or work experience had positive attitudes from their 1st year and throughout medical school. Students with less positive attitudes became more active in TJM and positive at graduation.

Conclusion: Appropriate TJM education and standard medical education in preclinical years of medical school has helped make students' attitudes toward Kampo medicine and AM more positive.