Elective Years 3 and 4: Pediatric Integrative Medicine

Pediatric Integrative Medicine (PIM)

Diversification = R1 Pediatrics

2 Weeks

ELECTIVE IS NOT AVAILABLE: Feb 19 - March 3, 2024; March 25 - April 7, 2024; May 13 - 26, 2024; June 24 - September 1, 2024

Placement Contact Dr Hsing Jou hjou@ualberta.ca
Request through MedSIS

Visiting Medical Students: visitingelectives@ualberta.ca
Apply through the AFMC Student Portal

Introduction to the role and scope of integrative medicine and how physicians can integrate complementary healthcare approaches in diverse clinical settings.  Students will work under the supervision of Dr Jou.

This clinical elective provides the opportunity to join physicians (pediatric and adult) and to shadow complementary healthcare providers in various clinical settings, including with Dr Jou in the pediatric emergency department.  Complementary modalities may include Traditional Chinese Medicine/acupuncture, yoga therapy, biofeedback, music therapy, art therapy, functional medicine, meditation, mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR), and others.  The purpose of shadowing is to foster understanding of patients' use and the clinical contexts for complementary and integrative approaches to health; the experiences are not necessarily an endorsement, and students are not expected to provide direct care.  Direct patient care, such as history-taking and physical examination, will be supervised by physicians and based on CanMEDS principles.  While many of the patients are children, several clinics only see adults, reflecting the majority of integrative medicine practices.  Scheduling is based on trainee capacity of the clinics, and on students' interests.  Students will learn how to find and apply evidence about complementary and integrative medicine to support safe and informed use.

Students are expected to make a short presentation at the end of the elective on an integrative medicine topic of their choice, supported by a medical librarian.