ABSTRACT
An Oriental (Kampo) medicine awareness survey was given to two student groups at Nara Medical University, for 3 years (2003-2005). One group consisted of 59 second-year students, 81 third-year students, and 77 fourth-year students, while the other group consisted of 72 third-year students, 51 fourth-year students, and 34 fifth-year students. Both student groups received Kampo lectures in 2004. Student's interest increased through 2003 to 2005 from 85.4%, to 82.5% and 94.6% respectively, as they gained a more positive image of Oriental medicine year by year. They also came to understand that Oriental medicine efficacy differs, from that of western medicine. On the other hand, those students showing little interest had less knowledge Kampo medicine philosophies. Female students held a higher positive image of Kampo medicine, than they had before the surveys. But the degree of disagreement between male and female students was not so largely altered, as all students advanced through medical school. Most believed that Oriental medicine will play a more important role in the future, and that Oriental (Kampo) medicine lectures are an important part of their medical education. Therefore, it is essential that medical students are given more exposure to Kampo medicine, through further meetings and lectures. In addition, Kampo medicine needs to be demonstrated, both clinically and in principle, as a complementary and alternative medical philosophy to those students and doctors who still maintain a negative image.