Branum mla 2012
- 1. "Alternative" Research Education in a Post-R25 World: Assessing AOM Student Attitudes Towards Research & the Scientific Method Candise Branum, MLS College Librarian, Oregon College of Oriental Medicine
- 2. Research Education Grants (R25)
- 3. R25 Grants to CAM Schools Develop research literacy Enhance research appreciation View research as a bridge between CAM and conventional medicine Award a limited number of grants to create Research Education programs for dissemination to other CAM colleges
- 4. Goals of Research Literacy Research Culture Research Participation
- 5. 2006 Survey 2006 joint study from OCOM / NESA of attitudes and interests of AOM students towards research and the scientific method Students’ interest in research was found to decline with time in school
- 6. 2012 SURVEY In the six years since introducing a culture of research into the campus and into the curricula, has this trend changed?
- 7. 2012 Survey 10 nationally accredited AOM schools in the United States Mix of schools with and without dedicated research programs Schools WITH research departments were much more likely to respond to our survey request Ended with 6…
- 8. 2012 Survey Goals Broad look at how acupuncture students view research and its associated methods Is there a difference between 1st and 3rd year students’ attitudes? Any correlation between high levels of interest and the presence of a research department?
- 9. Recognition of the Culture “Acupuncture has been practiced successfully for several thousand years. Why do we need research?” Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) is an alternative medicine. Practitioners may feel antagonistic or wary of western medicine. RCTs (the "gold standard" of research) do not always adequately measure AOM results
- 10. Demographics Over half the respondents were 18-45 years old; Almost 75% female; Well distributed over the class years.
- 11. SURVEY RESULTS Question: Do students recognize the benefits of AOM research? Answer: Yes
- 12. Overall Results Believes clinical studies affect insurance coverage Wants to stay informed of latest research Wants to learn more about AOM research Neutral / No Opinion Disagrees / Negative View Wants to participate in research Agrees / Positive View AOM research affects public opinion Feelings about research 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%100%
- 13. OCOM Survey Results 100% 90% % of respondents who agree 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% Overall trends 2006 Overall trends 2012 20% 10% 0% Interest in Interest in Believe that Believe that Importance Scientific learning participating AOM AOM for AOM method is about AOM in AOM research research practitioners inconsistent research clinical influences influences to follow with AOM research public insurance AOM clinical principles perceptions coverage research of the profession 1Wayne, Hammerschlag et al. Explore 2010;6:22-28.
- 14. Overall Response to “Incompatibility of the Scientific Method with AOM Principles” Not Sure / No Opinion Disagree Agree 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
- 15. PRESENCE OF RESEARCH PROGRAM Question: Does it make a difference? Answer: “Not Sure”
- 16. The Scientific Method Agree Disagree No Research Program Research Program Unsure 0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
- 17. Feelings About Research 80% 70% 60% 50% Positive 40% Negative 30% Neutral / Not Sure 20% 10% 0% Research Program No Research Program
- 18. TRACKING ATTITUDES OVER TIME Question: Do rates of interest decrease over time in the program? Answer: Unfortunately… yep
- 19. Feelings About Research 100% 90% 80% Positive Feelings 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 1st year 2nd year 3rd year or more OCOM All Schools Combined
- 20. OCOM Survey Results Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 100% 90% % of respondents who agree 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 2006 30% 2012 20% 10% 0% 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd year year year 1st 2nd 3rd year year year year year year year year year year year year or year year year or or or or more or more more more more more Q1: Interest in learning about research Q2: Interest in research participation Q3: Importance of research for public perception of AOM Q4: Importance of research for insurance reimbursement Q5: Importance in following clinical research Q6: Scientific method is inconsistent with AOM principles 1Wayne, Hammerschlag et al. Explore 2010;6:22-28.
- 21. Conclusions Positive feelings about research decline drastically as students progress in the program This aligns with the results from the 2006 study Students see the benefits of research and believe it is important to their profession, but that doesn’t mean they like it
- 22. Conclusions Comments indicate a distrust of the western biomedical system and a distrust of big business and pharmaceutical companies Alternative ways of measuring results? Critical thinking about research bias, sometimes too critical
- 23. THANKS!! Feel free to contact me with any questions: Candise Branum cbranum@ocom.edu
Editor's Notes
- #17: Students at schools with a research department are more likely to disagree with the statement, “The scientific method is not compatible with the basic principles of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.” In other words, they are more likely to believe that AOM and the scientific method ARE compatible. One very interesting point is