ABSTRACT SUBMISSION FORM

Presenter's Information

Author’s name 1: Affiliation 1: Department 1: e-mail 1: phone 1:	Tanya Edwards, MD University Hospitals of Cleveland Family Medicine Tanya.Edwards@uhhs.com 844-2076
Author’s name 2 : Affiliation 2: Department 2: e-mail 2: phone 2:	Sara Laskey CWRU School of Medicine saralaskey@adelphia.net
Author’s name 3: Affiliation 3: Department 3: e-mail 3: phone 3:	Nancy Fleurancois CWRU School of Medicine nxf15@case.edu
Poster Title Integration of Herbs and Supplements into the Core Academic Program Scholars Collaboration in Teaching and Learning

Poster Abstract (Text only, do not exceed 250 words)

Problem: Medical students lack the knowledge base to counsel patients regarding efficacy and safety of nutraceutical use.

Goal: Incorporating a curriculum on herbs and supplements (nutraceuticals) into the medical school pharmacology curriculum.

Objectives:

1) Identify the key nutraceuticals relevant to medical student education

2) Design materials and integrate into the Lerner College of Medicine curriculum

3) Enhance the knowledge of pharmacology faculty

4) Create stakeholders amongst pharmacology faculty

Relevance: Evidence is growing regarding the safety, efficacy, and possible dangers of complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies. Physicians need to understand the available therapies and supporting research. Use of nutraceuticals is up to 70% depending on the communities surveyed (1). A recent survey of graduating medical students at CASE found that 50% report no or superficial knowledge about CAM therapies, and 86% support the inclusion of evidence-based CAM into the Core Academic Program.

Setting: Lerner College of Medicine

Participants: Basic Science pharmacology faculty and medical students

Intervention: Quiz questions for each committee and integration of nutraceuticals into existing cases. Lectures to incorporate nutraceutical information. One-page summaries for the lecturers with supporting articles, one on one work with key lecturers, and one workshop on nutraceuticals for the entire pharmacology faculty.

Outcome Measurements: Pre and post intervention surveys of pharmacology faculty and second year medical students assessing knowledge of nutraceuticals, perception of need, and how well those needs were met.

Hypothesized results: Significant improvement in faculty and student knowledge of nutraceuticals and evidence that the needs of the faculty and students have been met in this arena.

Issues needing resolution: Understanding of the Lerner College of Medicine curricular design.

1. Eisenberg DM, et al. Trends in alternative medicine use in the United States, 1990-1997: results of a follow-up national survey. JAMA. 1998;280(18):1569-75.