Teaching and Learning Matters An elective course to enhance students' knowledge and confidence in natural products

Background: To create and evaluate the impact of an elective course in increasing knowledge and developing students’ confidence to counsel patients in the area of natural products (NP). Educational activity: A 2-hour elective course was designed to create an opportunity for students to learn about the role of natural products in pharmacognosy, ethnobotany, alternative, and traditional medicine. The course employs lectures, active learning activities, student presentations, group discussions, and a simulation practical examination. Critical analysis of the educational activity: Student knowledge was assessed based on grades. A pre-course and post-course survey was used to describe students’ confidence in the appropriate uses of NP and knowledge about complementary and alternative medicine. End-of-course evaluations were used to assess students’ satisfaction with the course. Conclusions: Students agreed that this course gives them the knowledge and confidence to communicate with patients about NP, identify dietary supplement/drug interactions, and report adverse effects, while believing that conventional medicine could benefit from alternative medicine approaches.