Abstract

More and more Americans are using CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) practices including natural products obtained over the counter (OTC) to treat illnesses. This invariably creates challenges for the allopathic physicians who treat patients who had previously taken natural products or are currently taking them. This situation necessitates conventional medicine doctors to educate themselves of at least the commonly used natural products, their uses, side effects and more importantly, drug interactions natural products might have with conventional medicines, as this could alter the treatment efficacy and outcome. These realities should be reflected in the undergraduate medical education within the curriculum or without. The University of Texas McGovern Medical school in Houston Texas has adopted a combination of electives, workshops and special projects to address this issue.

Keywords:Complementary and alternative medicine; Undergraduate medical education; Ayurveda; Natural/Herbal products; Supplements; Allopathic medicine

Abbreviations:CAM: Complementary and Alternative Medicine; OTC: over the counter