Integrating Medical Acupuncture Education into the Curriculum for Medical Students at Stanford University.

Abstract

Background: Early exposure to medical acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in medical education fosters a well-rounded understanding of integrative medicine. For over two decades, Stanford University has offered acupuncture and TCM education in its curriculum, aiming to enhance students' understanding of acupuncture's scientific and traditional foundations and its clinical applications.

Methods: We describe two courses and their learning goals and curricula: 1) a medical acupuncture course for medical students launched in 1997 and 2) a foundation of TCM course for undergraduates launched in 2002. These courses are housed within the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine at Stanford University's School of Medicine.

Results: The medical acupuncture course encompasses theoretical and practical aspects of acupuncture, including principles of TCM, meridian theory, and evidence-based applications. Students engage in practical skill development, research analysis, and final paper presentations to consolidate their learning. The course integrates hands-on workshops, lectures, and discussions, with evolving content to reflect contemporary research. The TCM foundations course covers essential elements of TCM, including its historical evolution, meridian theory, and the five elements theory. These foundational concepts are contextualized within cultural, philosophical, and lifestyle factors to provide a holistic understanding of TCM and its study using modern biomedical techniques. Both courses have had annual enrollments of 10-30 students and continue to receive outstanding feedback from participants.

Conclusions: Integrating acupuncture into the medical education context broadens students' understanding of treatment options, enabling them to deliver more holistic patient care. Stanford University remains committed to cultivating future healthcare leaders equipped to incorporate acupuncture and related complementary therapies into modern clinical practice.