Development and evaluation of fundamental education about Kampo medicine adopting an experimental program in clinical pharmacy using team-based format

A model core curriculum was proposed by the government in 2001 that outlined the core structure for undergraduate medical education, in which a Kampo medicine educational program was established. The following year, it was introduced in pharmacy as well as medicine. For fourth-year students at Tokai Medical University, a lecture on Kampo herbal medicine, focusing on clinical pharmacy, was given using team-based learning. Students learned the fundamental mechanism of Kampo medicine through team discussions about their subjective assessment of herbal medicine "Keishito" using their sensory organs and comparing objective analysis data of the main ingredients of Cinnamomi Cortex. They found that knowledge about Kampo medicine can come not only from clinical trials but also from objective observation. Through this educational program, almost all had an increased interest in the possible therapeutic value of herbal medicine. The results of examinations on Kampo herbal medicine showed that this program motivated students, especially those who had less or little interest in Kampo medicine before the lecture. The lecture-style team-based format could also facilitate a mutually supportive atmosphere, because negative feelings and concerns regarding initial traditional medicine can freely be expressed. In future, pharmacists as medical staff will provide preventive and curative primary care; since, for example, the Japanese government is pressing forward to prevent metabolic syndrome, which is related to lifestyle, this project could not have been completed without the cooperation of health professionals such as pharmacists. The present educational program in Karnpo medicine may also be recommended for clinical pharmacy education.