Education in Traditional and Non Conventional Medicine: A Growing Trend in Italian Schools of Medicine

Abstract

Traditional and Non-Conventional Medicines (TM/NCM) are slowly gaining ground in Italy despite the opposition of biomedicine which dominates the health and education system. The latest research indicates that: more than 50% of general practitioners recommend homeopathic medicines to their patients; 14.5% of the Italian population has recourse to Non Conventional Medicines; 16.2% of the sample has recourse to homeopathic medicines. Given this trend, this first-ever survey/census investigates the actual role of the Italian University in promoting an academic education in Traditional and Non-Conventional Medicines. Although in 2004 and in 2011 the Italian Permanent Conference of the Presidents of MD Schools of Medicine assumed an official position of stigmatisation of TM/NCM, many Italian Schools of Medicine have activated various types of courses. The authors analyse the TM/NCM training schemes offered on the websites of private and public Italian Schools of Medicine in the academic year 2011-2012. An ad-hoc questionnaire was likewise mailed to all the Italian Schools of Medicine, consisting of eight questions concerning the quality and quantity of both undergraduate and post-graduate education programmes in Traditional and Non-Conventional Medicine (Elective Courses (undergraduate), High Education Courses (post-graduate), eventual Specializations, Masters Courses, Doctorates and other kinds, such as CME, etc.). The authors have also reconstructed a geographical map of the different types education programme in Traditional and Non-Conventional Medicine, highlighting the more virtuous Italian University Centres and Regions in this connection.