Japanese Online Survey Evaluating the Association Between Undergraduate Education and Clinical Practice in Kampo Medicine

Background Since 2001, most Japanese medical students have received lectures and training in Kampo medicine at nationwide universities in accordance with the Japanese Model Core Curriculum for Medical University Education. This study aimed to evaluate the association between undergraduate Kampo education and the clinical use of Kampo formulas. Methods We performed an online survey of Japanese physicians from January 23 to 24, 2024. The questionnaire consisted of 28 questions about the respondents' educational experience, current clinical situation, diagnostic bases, and future intentions regarding Kampo medicine. We stratified the respondents in accordance with the age distribution. The respondents were also categorized into two groups based on their undergraduate education in Kampo medicine. Results The study cohort comprised 220 respondents who had received undergraduate Kampo education (educated respondents [ERs]) and 331 respondents who had not received undergraduate Kampo education (non‐educated respondents [NRs]). There were significantly more respondents aged ≤ 40 years in the ER group than in the NR group (73.6% vs. 28.9%, p < 0.001). A greater percentage of ERs than NRs stated frequent Kampo formula prescriptions (92.7% vs. 83.0%, p = 0.004, power 0.89, odds ratio (OR) [95% CI] 2.62 [1.46–4.71]). Moreover, more ERs used Kampo patterns as the diagnostic bases for Kampo formula prescriptions (55.4% vs. 46.1%, p = 0.048, power 0.35, OR [95% CI] 1.45 [1.00–2.10]). Conclusions ERs prescribed Kampo formulas more frequently than NRs. To further elucidate the favorable influence of undergraduate Kampo education on pattern‐based Kampo formula use among Japanese physicians, large‐scale investigations are warranted.