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 postgraduate 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