Attitudes of medical students towards integrating complementary and integrative medicine in their future clinical practice / [author]; Reginette Viloria, Pauline Kaye Aggarao, Yvonne Robbie Alaban, Jarred Arana, Bernielle Banac, MA. Edith Alegrine Booth, Angelic Mizpah Chaste Bulanhagui, Rica Andrea Camus, Christina Marie Joy Caro, Danielle Louise Chavez, Maria Cristina Cruz, Angeline David, Johanna Fababier, Kimberly Sharah Mae Foruno, Marry Joyce Gadiana, Ruufus Angelo Ibanez, Bryan Kristoffer Leguiab, Jeanette Macalma

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ABSTRACT: Background: Despite the significance of complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) as an adjunct in clinical management, there is a decline in medical students' eagerness towards it during their clinical years. Meanwhile, rapid growth in international acceptance and utilization of CIM by patients is seen in recent decades, making it important for medical practitioner to possess comprehensive knowledge and understanding of CIM. This research delves into the attitudes of medical students towards adopting CIM within their future clinical practice. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 145 students of FEU_NRMF Institute of Medicine. Participants were asked about their personal information and their current enrollment status. They answered a 10-iyem questionnaire on attitudes towards CIM. Results were analyzed using frequency and percentage. Results: Participants across all school years demonstrated positive attitudes towards CIM. expressing beliefs in its potential benefits, value as complementary to conventional medicine, and its incorporation into medical education and future clinical practice. The majority of participants expressed willingness to recommend CIM therapies to their future patients upon becoming practicing doctors. Conclusion: This study showed that the majority of medical students, both pre-clinical and clinical, exhibit positive attitudes regarding the desirability of CIM therapies, its inclusion in medical education, its effectiveness, and ultimately its integration into their future clinical practice. Keywords: Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM), medical students, preclinical, future practice, attitudes

Department of Community & Family Medicine