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