Abstract

Background: Sufficient training and clinical experience are required in acupuncture training curricula to ensure competency. However, the practice of medical students is limited and only allowed under certain conditions in Korea. This study aims to present a group project that provides additional acupuncture treatment experience in Meridian and Acupoint classes to bridge the gap between acupuncture training and clinical practice. Methods: We described and analyzed a group project implemented at a single college of Korean medicine since September 2022. An instructional designer, who is also a specialist in acupuncture and moxibustion medicine, designed the group project through discussion with a subject matter expert, the instructor of this class. As comments and complaints revealed this project was modified and redesigned for a new curriculum in 2023. Results: Assignments included pre-learning content, medical records, treatment notes, analysis of patient progress, and reflections on learning. Assessment based on a predefined rubric replaced the midterm examination and counted toward the students’ grades. Grading and feedback were done using Google Classroom. However, several complaints emerged: lack of motivation to learn, high learning burden, and inappropriate when they had not yet learned clinical subjects. The project model was redesigned to reflect their practice in class for the first semester, identify target anatomical structures in the needle tip for the second semester, and experience acupuncture treatment with less burden for the third semester. Discussion and conclusion: The experience of selecting and treating patients from their peers may be an alternative to the current clinical clerkship. Further studies on novel programs for early clinical practice and their effectiveness in Korean medicine education are needed.