Introduction of integrative health and acupuncture to pre-clerkship medical students

Background: Pain is a common diagnosis in both the civilian and military community. Integrative health practices, such as acupuncture, are often used to treat pain as well as other medical conditions. Medical schools must ensure that their students are aware of what patients are using and how the tools of Integrative Health can be used together with the conventional medical model. Methods: The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), The United States' military medical school, is heeding this call in innovative ways. The USUHS uses several means to teach Integrative Health throughout the 4-year medical school experience. A new component, Battlefield Acupuncture, was introduced into the second-year curriculum and was particularly relevant to service personnel. Conclusions: Integrative health modalities introduced to medical students early in their education has been well-received and will prepare them for their medical careers.