Perceptions of complementary health approaches among undergraduate healthcare professional trainees at a Canadian university

IntroductionComplementary health approaches (CHA) are used widely throughout the world, and are increasingly integrated with conventional medicine. Conventional healthcare trainees require an evidence-informed understanding of CHA to optimize healthcare system efficacy and cost-effectiveness, as well as patient safety and provider-patient relationships. However, the incorporation of CHA teaching into conventional undergraduate health education is variable among institutions, and trainee knowledge is often limited. Little is known about trainee perceptions of CHA, which have implications for trainee learning, educational initiatives and curriculum development, as well as for future trainee practices and participation in integrative health. Thus, this study aimed to qualitatively investigate trainees' perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of CHA in an interprofessional context.MethodsTrainees included undergraduate health sciences trainees from various disciplines (medicine, nursing, pharmacy, etc.) in an interprofessional education course. Data were collected through trainee reflective assignments and were analyzed inductively using descriptive qualitative content analysis.ResultsThere was heterogeneity in views regarding the safety and efficacy of CHA across all healthcare professions, however, the predominant view was in favour of CHA. Trainees addressed the concept of CHA integration with conventional healthcare and demonstrated a lack of familiarity with successful models of integrative health.ConclusionsHeterogeneity of views regarding the safety and efficacy of CHA suggests that future curricula should ensure that trainees develop an evidence-informed understanding of CHA. Trainee discussion of the challenges of integrative health is a novel finding, and should inform future researchers and educators.