Tibetan & Himalayan Medicine in Kathmandu, Nepal

Description

The following experience is available to BU medical students as a 4-week global health (credited) elective or a summer experience (between first and second year). The experience was made available due to a BU faculty member’s connection to the program.

The experience is located at Sowa Rigpa International College (SRIC), the only institution in Nepal offering an accredited degree course in Sowa Rigpa (Tibetan & Himalayan Medicine), coordinating with local doctors and clinics. This experience is primarily based in Kathmandu, Nepal.

This experience provides:

  • Classes on basic principles of Sowa Rigpa; topics can vary according to interest, for example:
    • Basic principles of the system;
    • Relationship of meditation, yogic practices, Buddhism, and medicine – including some practices for both doctors and patients;
    • Training in external therapies such as acupuncture, cupping, and manual therapy;
    • Diagnostic techniques;
    • Basics of herbal pharmacology;
    • Field study of medicinal plants in the Kathmandu area or elsewhere in Nepal.
  • Clinical observation in facilities around the Kathmandu valley. There are many Sowa Rigpa clinics with a spectrum of clinical practice. Some focus on consultations and prescribing medicines where others incorporate external therapies.
  • Based on interest, students may participate in free health camps in Kathmandu or in rural areas using Sowa Rigpa or integrated with modern medicine.

Program Fees

Program fees for a four-week elective/experience range from $1500 to $4400 depending on choice of program, length of stay, etc.

The Benefits of This Experience

Exposure to different medical philosophies and paradigms rooted in traditional medicine can offer several benefits for physicians-in-training in the Western world:

  • Holistic approach: Traditional systems often focus on a holistic approach to health, emphasizing the balance of mind, body and spirit. This perspective can complement the more specialized focus of Western medicine
  • Cultural responsiveness: Understanding these practices can help healthcare providers better serve patients from diverse backgrounds who may seek or value these traditional healing methods, and an integrative approach to medical care
  • Patient-centered care: Exposure to different healing paradigms can enhance a physician’s ability to tailor treatments to individual patient preferences and needs

Contact

For more information, contact Eric Rosenbush.