The teaching of acupuncture in the University of São Paulo School of Medicine, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE Since being introduced as an elective discipline (non-obligatory) in the second semester of 2002, acupuncture has been taught in the University of São Paulo School of Medicine. We conducted this study to verify interest and acceptance among under graduate medical students and to discern a positive influence contributing to improving their skills. METHODS The study was conducted from 2002 to 2007 using descriptive statistical methods. RESULTS The average number of students who concluded the discipline is 24.9 students per semester with an average number of medical students per semester of 87.5 (28% of all medical students in the 7th and 8th semesters). After a semester of basic training in acupuncture, only eight students per group are promoted (after selection) to the Medical Academic League of Acupuncture which lasts for two years. Every semester, all eight vacancies are filled. Among the students who concluded the course, 98% described course quality as good or very good, 85% considered themselves at least partially able to use acupuncture and 79% stated that the course influenced them in their medical education. CONCLUSION There is a genuine interest to learn acupuncture, almost 30% of all students volunteer for a brief training in acupuncture while some of them choose additional training of two years due to the importance of acupuncture as part of professional skills. Results indicate that acupuncture should be included as an elective discipline for medical students.