Integrative Medicine in Residency
Integrative Medicine in Residency (IMR) is a 200-hour curriculum development project of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Arizona, that is creating and delivering competency-based online integrative medical training to residents. IMR is a required component of our program, and is incorporated over the three years of your residency. Learning is accomplished through a combination of: web-based curriculum, program-specific experiential exercise, and group process-oriented activities.
Residents receive direct teaching from faculty who actively practice integrative medicine and have diverse skills in areas such as mind-body medicine, acupuncture, botanicals, nutrition, and counseling for life-style changes. Residents complete the integrative medicine curriculum equipped with the tools and framework to integrate complementary and alternative healing modalities into their clinical practices.
Eight family medicine residencies nationwide are participating in the pilot phase of this program:
- Beth Israel Family Medicine
- Carolinas Medical Center
- Hennepin County Medical Center
- Maine Medical Center – Portland
- Maine Dartmouth – Augusta
- University of Arizona
- University of Connecticut
- University of Texas Medical Branch
Year 1 Content
Introduction to Integrative Medicine
Prevention and Wellness: US Preventive Services, Nutrition and Diet, Supplements for Prevention, Physical Activity, Sleep, Stress and Mind-Body Medicine, Spirituality Tools in Integrative Medicine : Motivational Interviewing for Behavioral Change
Year 2 Content
Pediatric Topics: ADD/ADHD, Chronic Pain Syndrome, Asthma and Allergies Women's Health Topics: Menopause, Fibromyalgia, Osteoporosis, Depression, Eating Disorders, PMS, prenatal care and lactation Acute Care Topics: Back Pain, Urinary Tract Infection, Gastroenteritis, Otitis media,Vaginitis, Chest Pain/GERD, Upper Respiratory Infection Tools in Integrative Medicine: Integrative Medicine Intake Process, Botanicals, Mind-Body Medicine
Year 3 Content
Chronic Illness: Cardiovascular Disease (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease), Diabetes Mellitus II, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Obesity, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Chronic Back Pain Special Topics: HIV, Cancer Survivorship Tools in Integrative Medicine: Integrative Medicine Care Plan Process, Manual Medicine, Energy Medicine, Whole Systems, Practice Management
All courses have an interactive core content and contain case studies allowing you to apply the new knowledge to patients encountered in family medicine. Content includes evidence-based Conventional and Complementary approaches to the management of the medical problems presented.
Throughout the curriculum we will emphasize well-being and balance for physicians – this interactive and experiential part of the curriculum will encourage residents to work on an individual plan to maintain their well-being and balance while in residency.
UTMB hosts several databases to help faculty, residents, and patients become more knowledgeable about natural supplements. These are Natural Standard, Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, and Health Notes Online. The Integrative Medicine program also includes a medical student interest group (SIAM), a faculty development program, a Journal Clubv, and the Green Team for highly motivated residents interested in obtaining additional training and exposure to Integrative Medicine. In the past, Green Team residents and other resdients and faculty in Family Medicine have taken advanced training in acupuncture, herbal medicine, mind-body medicine, and nutrition. Several residents have successfully completed the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine board exam in their thrid year.
For more information on the IMR program at the University of Texas Medical Branch Family Medicine Residency, please contact: Victor Sierpina, MD, 409-772-3126,
vssierpi@utmb.edu