A study on the Attitudes and Experiences of Korean Medicine College Students toward Integrated Education in the Acupuncture&Moxibustion Medicine and Korean Rehabilitation Medicine

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the satisfaction, comprehension levels of students taking integrated or non-integrated musculoskeletal education in Korean medicine colleges.Methods: We conducted a survey targeting third year students at University A taking musculoskeletal medicine (integrated education) and third year students at University A and third, fourth year students at University B taking acupuncture and moxibustion medicine and Korean rehabilitation medicine (separate education). The questionnaire, consisting of 25 items, was developed through consultation with faculty members in major of acupuncture or education. Questions include items related to general perceptions of the subjects, operation, and evaluation of the courses, and learning experiences. The collected data were analyzed through frequency analysis, t-test and Chi-square tests.Results: A total of 114 out of 217 people responded, of which 112 responses were valid. When comparing the comprehension of subjects, significant differences were mostly not observed. In other words, subject comprehension was found to have no correlation with the implementation of integrated education. In terms of the need for integrated education, the third year students at university B (non-integrated education / 5.0±0.7) showed significantly higher scores than the third year students at university A (integrated education / 4.2±1.4) (t=-2.594, p=0.012). Regarding the components for implementing integrated education, it was found that unification of learning tools such as textbooks and teaching methods is necessary.Conclusions: We conducted a survey to analyze students’ perceptions of musculoskeletal integration education. This study could be utilized not only in musculoskeletal medicine but also in future integrated education studies in Korean medicine.