Journals / Meandros Medical And Dental Journal / 2026 / Volume: 27 Issue: 2

Medical Student Perceptions of Holistic Medicine Education at the Preclinical Level: A Qualitative Focus Group Study

Klinik Öncesi Dönemde Holistik Tıp Eğitimine İlişkin Tıp Öğrencilerinin Algıları: Nitel Bir Odak Grup Çalışması

Fatih Sözdutmaz(ADNAN MENDERES ÜNİVERSİTESİ, TIP FAKÜLTESİ)0009-0001-4035-5442
Nazlı Gülriz Çeri(AYDIN ADNAN MENDERES ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-5486-1824
Hayriye Dilek Akdogan(İZMİR BAKIRÇAY ÜNİVERSİTESİ, TIP FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0001-6864-4839
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-06-24
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Strengthening patient-centered perspectives, empathy, communication, and holistic evaluation skills among students highlights the value of evidence-based and structured integration of holistic medicine content into undergraduate medical education.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Objective: Interest in holistic medicine approaches is increasing, and the role of these methods in medical education and their impact on student attitudes are becoming increasingly important.
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Key Findings & Data:Methods: In this qualitative study designed with a phenomenological approach, two focus group interviews were conducted with 20 voluntary first- and second-year medical students who completed the module.
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Conclusion & Impact:Strengthening patient-centered perspectives, empathy, communication, and holistic evaluation skills among students highlights the value of evidence-based and structured integration of holistic medicine content into undergraduate medical education.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Holistic medicine · Medical education · Student attitudes

Abstract

Objective: Interest in holistic medicine approaches is increasing, and the role of these methods in medical education and their impact on student attitudes are becoming increasingly important. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of holistic medicine education given at the preclinical level, on medical students’ awareness, attitudes, and clinical reasoning processes, and to examine their views regarding curriculum integration. Methods: In this qualitative study designed with a phenomenological approach, two focus group interviews were conducted with 20 voluntary first- and second-year medical students who completed the module. Data were analyzed using thematic and frequency analysis. Results: Students reported a reduction in their initial biases toward holistic medicine methods, increased confidence in scientifically supported practices, and a stronger adoption of a patient-centered, biopsychosocial perspective. Experiential activities such as breathing exercises, case discussions, and peer presentations were described as deepening the learning experience. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that medical students develop a warm and open attitude toward holistic medicine methods and that such education supports both cognitive awareness and attitudinal transformation. Strengthening patient-centered perspectives, empathy, communication, and holistic evaluation skills among students highlights the value of evidence-based and structured integration of holistic medicine content into undergraduate medical education.

Özet

Amaç: Bütüncül tıp yaklaşımlarına yönelik ilgi artmakta olup, bu yöntemlerin tıp eğitimindeki yeri ve öğrenci tutumları üzerindeki etkisi giderek daha önemli hâle gelmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı preklinik düzeyde verilen bütüncül tıp eğitiminin tıp öğrencilerinin farkındalık, tutum ve klinik düşünme süreçleri üzerindeki etkisini değerlendirmek ve müfredat entegrasyonuna ilişkin görüşlerini incelemektir. Yöntem: Fenomenolojik desenli bu nitel çalışmada, modülü tamamlayan 20 gönüllü birinci ve ikinci sınıf öğrencisiyle iki odak grup görüşmesi yapılmıştır. Veriler tematik ve frekans analizleriyle değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Öğrenciler bütüncül tıp yöntemlerine yönelik başlangıç önyargılarının azaldığını, bilimsel kanıtlarla desteklenen uygulamalara olan güvenlerinin arttığını ve hasta merkezli, biyopsikososyal bir bakış açısını daha güçlü biçimde benimsediklerini belirtmiştir. Nefes egzersizleri, vaka tartışmaları ve akran sunumları gibi deneyimsel etkinliklerin öğrenmeyi derinleştirdiği ifade edilmiştir. Sonuç: Bu çalışma, tıp fakültesi öğrencilerinin bütüncül tıp yöntemlerine karşı sıcak ve açık bir tutum geliştirdiğini; bu eğitimin hem bilişsel farkındalığı hem de tutumsal dönüşümü desteklediğini göstermektedir. Öğrencilerde hasta merkezli bakış, empati, iletişim ve bütüncül değerlendirme becerilerinin güçlenmesi, bütüncül tıp içeriklerinin lisans düzeyindeki tıp eğitimine kanıta dayalı ve yapılandırılmış biçimde entegre edilmesinin değerini ortaya koymaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Sözdutmaz, F., Çeri, N. G., Akdogan, H. D. (2026). Medical Student Perceptions of Holistic Medicine Education at the Preclinical Level: A Qualitative Focus Group Study. Meandros Medical And Dental Journal, Volume: 27 Issue: 2. https://doi.org/10.69601/meandrosmdj.1894831

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