Building complementary and alternative health care research capacity: workshop report

Lack of research into the safety and efficacy of CAM has been identified as a barrier to collaboration between conventional and CAM practitioners. As an initial step to address this issue, Health Canada held an invitational roundtable discussion with researchers, practitioners and policy makers to explore specific issues related to CAM research capacity and literacy. The objectives of this workshop were to identify and prioritize CAM research infrastructure and training needs; and to identify strategies for meeting high priority needs. Eleven individuals representing three CAM groups, university-based researchers with experience in CAM research, and policy makers attended. Discussion focussed around research literacy, capacity, funding and leadership. Several recommendations were made including an advisory group, a needs assessment, support for research networks, development of learning modules, a review of existing research programmes, support for centres of excellence in CAM research, and funding for research meetings.