BHLP Continuing Medical Education Course - "Cultural Uses of Herbs in Latino and Haitian Communities"

Statement of Need:
Health care professionals are generally unfamiliar with the culturally/religiously-based versions of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) used among minority populations. This program will introduce two traditional healing systems, provide clinically relevant tools and skills, and enhance cross-cultural understanding of efficacy.

Educational Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the participant will be able to:
1) Understand the prevalence and clinical implications of CAM use in minority populations
2) Recognize the traditional healing systems of Cuban Santeria and Haitian Vodou
3) Appreciate cross-cultural understandings of efficacy, in comparison with biomedical understandings of evidence-based medicine
4) Identify selected herbs and their pharmacological properties, indications, contra-indications, and toxicity, as well as the health conditions for which these herbs are used
5) Discuss such practices with patients as part of establishing an effective therapeutic alliance
6) Examine available herbs, locate the settings in which they are purchased, and discuss their cultural and ritual significance with traditional healers
7) Identify additional resources about such herbal systems and specific herbs

This full-day class is scheduled to run for the second time on October 23, 2004. This course has been approved for 7 category 1 credits toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award and 8.4 contact hours of nursing credit. If you would like more information please contact us. This event is jointly sponsored by Boston University School of Medicine and The Integrative Medicine Alliance of Boston.