Elective Course Descriptions

Course Title	SOM	SON	SOP	SOD	Residents & Fellows
The Clinician as Ethnographer	x	x	x	x	x
Complementary Paths of Healing	x	x	x	x	x
Culture and Integrative Medicine	x	x	x	x	x
The Healers’ Art	x
Health and Social Justice	x	x	x	x	x
Herbs and Dietary Supplements	x	x	x	x
Integrative Medicine Clinical Rotation for Residents and Fellows					x
Integrative Medicine Forum	x	x	x	x	x
Massage and Meditation	x
Spirituality and Medicine	x	x	x	x	x
Training the Mind	x
SOM= School of Medicine, SON=School of Nursing SOP=School of Pharmacy, SOD=School of Dentistry

The Clinician as Ethnographer

IDS 140.08

This two-week intensive course is based on the concept of the clinician as an ethnographer – the idea that ethnographic concepts and techniques can complement and enhance clinical practice and research. The course immerses students in principles of ethnographic research and introduces them to a variety of social science topics and methods.

NOTE: This class is open to students from all professional schools at UCSF, as well as visiting students. (M,N,P,D, R&F)

Complementary Paths of Healing

FCM 170.08

This elective provides an introduction to several major alternative health systems through lectures, group discussions, and hands-on activities. Sessions are interactive, incorporating demonstrations, student participation, and experiential activities. Topics to be covered include traditional healing systems (e.g., traditional Chinese Medicine, ayurveda), mind-body medicine, herbs and dietary supplements, and body-based therapies.

NOTE: This class is open to students from all professional schools at UCSF, as well as visiting students. (M,N,P,D, R&F)

Culture and Integrative Medicine

FCM 140.42

This two-week, full-time elective explores the interrelationships between culture and integrative medicine. This intensive course comprises both didactic and experiential learning, including an overview of the historical and cultural context of the emerging field of integrative medicine, lecture-demonstrations by complementary and alternative medicine practitioners, and principles of ethnographic research relevant to clinical practice. Students will rotate through a variety of preceptorships at clinical integrative medicine sites, including those focusing on culturally diverse and underserved populations.

NOTE: This class is open to students from all professional schools at UCSF, as well as visiting students. (M,N,P,D, R&F)

Healers’ Art

FCM 171.01

This elective helps students discover what it means for them to embark on the path to become a healer. By learning to strengthen their humanity and to remain open-hearted future physicians can make the difference between professional burnout and a fulfilling life. This course is an opportunity to learn tools for self care, healing loss, finding meaning, strengthening commitment and becoming a true physician. (Medical Students only)

Health and Social Justice

FCM 170.17

This documentary film and discussion course addresses health-related aspects of social issues such as "race," ethnicity, and social class. Each film screening is followed by a focused group discussion facilitated by a faculty member with interest and experience in issues of health disparities.

NOTE: Enrollment is open to all UCSF students. (M,N,P,D, R&F)

Herbs and Dietary Supplements

CP 170.10

This course is organized to review herbs and supplements from a systems perspective. Topics include current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations regarding labeling and product claims; critical analysis of the current scientific literature (study design, methodology etc.) on commonly used herbs and dietary supplements; side effects/cautions/recommended formulations; and patient counseling recommendations.

NOTE: Enrollment is open to all UCSF students. (M,N,P,D)

Integrative Medicine Clinical Rotation for Residents and Fellows

This program is a one-month experience for medical residents and fellows that immerses learners in practical clinical experiences in integrative medicine. The rotation, which consists of a weekly half-day clinical rotation in a multidisciplinary integrative medicine practice, is conducted at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine Clinic at the Mount Zion Campus. There are also many opportunities interested residents to obtain additional integrative medicine experience in the community.

Residents or fellows who would like to participate in this rotation must have the approval of their residency program and must submit an application to: (Residents and Fellows only)

Yvette Coulter
Manager, Education Program
coultery@ocim.ucsf.edu
415-353-7991
FAX: 415-353-9746

Integrative Medicine Forum

FCM 171.04

The student-run Integrative Medicine Forum is a nationally recognized annual multidisciplinary conference for current and future leaders in all areas of healthcare including medicine, nursing, dentistry, and pharmacy. Through keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, attendees examine key issues in alternative and integrative medicine.

NOTE: This class is open to students from all professional schools at UCSF, visiting students, health care professionals, and the public. (M,N,P,D, R&F)

Massage and Meditation

FCM 198

This elective is an experiential, hands-on course that introduces students to both massage and meditation techniques. Classes begin and end with a simple meditation practice. Massage techniques are demonstrated and practiced, and elements of meditation are integrated into the practice of massage. Participants share and reflect on their individual experiences and learn practical skills to cope with stress. (Medical Students only)

Spirituality and Medicine

Medicine 170.01 (A-D)

This student-run elective features lectures and panels exploring the role of spirituality in medicine. Topics include the role of prayer from a scientific viewpoint; the notion of “presence”; the role of chaplain on the health care team; and the role of spirituality in medicine.

NOTE: Enrollment is open to all UCSF students. (M,N,P,D, R&F)

Training the Mind

Neuro 170.10

This course integrates mind-body medicine content into the Brain, Mind, and Behavior block for first-year medical students. The overall objective is to provide students with an overview of practices that have been shown to enhance the abilities of the normal, healthy mind, with an emphasis on meditation. In addition to the weekly didactic sessions, the students have an opportunity to participate in a group meditation three times per week throughout the quarter. (Medical Students only)