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Related Experiment Videos

Complementary and alternative medicine: how do we know if it works?

Merrijoy Kelner1, Beverly Snider, Peter Wellman

  • 1Institute for Human Development, Life Course and Aging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Healthcarepapers
|June 18, 2003
PubMed
Summary

This study explores complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) definitions and evidence. Understanding CAM

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Area of Science:

  • Sociology of health
  • Evidence-based practice
  • Healthcare policy

Background:

  • Sociological examination of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) definitions.
  • Discussion of the evidence base for CAM efficacy and safety.
  • Exploration of diverse perspectives on what constitutes evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the range of CAM definitions from a sociological perspective.
  • To discuss the evidence base for CAM efficacy and safety.
  • To understand the appeal of CAM within Canadian healthcare seeking.

Main Methods:

  • Sociological analysis of CAM definitions and evidence.
  • Consideration of biomedical, CAM, consumer, and practitioner viewpoints on evidence.
  • Assessment of methods for evaluating CAM evidence.

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Main Results:

  • Multiple perspectives are necessary for a full understanding of CAM's appeal.
  • Assessing CAM evidence is complex and requires inclusive methods.
  • Current approaches often go beyond traditional randomized clinical trials.

Conclusions:

  • An inclusive approach to CAM evidence assessment is crucial.
  • Policy recommendations are needed for CAM research, regulation, and funding.
  • Understanding CAM requires integrating diverse evidence perspectives.