Perception regarding AYUSH and integrative medicine among medical undergraduate students: a cross-sectional study

Background: Promotion of AYUSH by government of India and the increasing utilization of AYUSH concurrently with allopathic medicine by patient population can lead to unfavourable outcomes. Sensitising medical students to AYUSH will equip them in better management of patients. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of AYUSH use among medical students and their perception regarding AYUSH and its possible integration in medical curriculum.Methods: A Questionnaire based study was conducted on 450 medical undergraduate students of Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India from March 2015 to April 2015. Data obtained was analysed and presented as counts and percentages.Results: Among the 380 respondents, it was found that 96 (25.2%) students utilized AYUSH therapies; the most common indication for using them was for allergic disorders. Only 10% of the students believed that it caused less adverse effects. AYUSH utilization significantly increased in final year of medical studies. 71% of the students believed that AYUSH was useful; however they felt that scientifically unproven AYUSH therapies should be discouraged. 60% of the students opined that integrated medicine is a better approach than using either system alone. Among 266 (70%) students interested in learning AYUSH, 151 (40%) students favoured AYUSH integration in medical curriculum as an elective subject.Conclusions: Medical student’s perception towards AYUSH and integrative medicine is positive. Students were in favour of learning AYUSH as an elective subject in medical curriculum