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CAM in Canada: places, practices, research.
J Andrews Gavin1, Heather Boon
1Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, 50 St George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. g.andrews@utoronto.ca
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
|June 30, 2005
Summary
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Canada shows unique trends in practice and regulation. Despite not being fully integrated, a growing research base supports its potential within Canadian healthcare.
Area of Science:
- Integrative medicine
- Health services research
- Canadian healthcare policy
Background:
- Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use, regulation, and integration are evolving globally.
- Canada's unique political and economic landscape influences CAM's trajectory.
- The research landscape for CAM is expanding rapidly worldwide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reflect on the current state of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practice and research in Canada.
- To identify uniquely Canadian aspects of CAM within a global context.
- To assess the foundations for CAM integration in Canadian healthcare.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative reflection on existing literature and practice trends.
- Analysis of unique Canadian political and economic factors influencing CAM.
- Examination of Canadian scholarly contributions to CAM research.
Main Results:
- Canadian CAM trends share similarities with other developed nations but possess distinct features.
- Canadian scholars contribute unique disciplinary perspectives to CAM research.
- A robust and expanding evidence base for CAM is emerging in Canada.
Conclusions:
- Complementary and alternative medicine is not yet fully integrated or researched within Canadian healthcare.
- Canada possesses foundational elements for greater CAM integration.
- A growing body of research supports the potential for enhanced CAM practice in Canada.