eCAM Advance Access originally published online on May 19, 2006
eCAM 2006 3(2):279-282; doi:10.1093/ecam/nel027
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Bilateral Integrative Medicine, Obviously
1 Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Program, Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine 1807 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90403, USA, and 2 Academic Fellow, Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine 1807 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90403, USA
Unstated and unacknowledged bias has a profound impact on the nature and implementation of integrative education models. Integrative education is the process of training conventional biomedical and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in each tradition such that patient care may be effectively coordinated. A bilateral education model ensures that students in each tradition are cross-taught by experts from the other tradition, imparting knowledge and values in unison. Acculturation is foundational to bilateral integrative medical education and practice. Principles are discussed for an open-minded bilateral educational model that can result in a new generation of integrative medicine teachers.
Keywords: acculturation – bilateral education – integrative medicine – TCM
For reprints and all correspondence: Steven H. Stumpf, EdD, Director, DAOM Program, Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine, 1807 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90403, USA. Tel: +1-310-453-8300 ext. 110; Fax: +1-310-829-3838; E-mail: provost{at}emperors.edu