CAM in Canada: places, practices, research

This paper reflects on the practice and research of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Canada. Although certain trends in use, as well as the regulation and integration of CAM, are mirrored in many other developed countries, some are highlighted as uniquely Canadian with distinct political and economic geographies. Similarly, although like in other countries the research of CAM is growing rapidly, Canadian scholars have been particularly productive in terms of providing unique disciplinary perspectives and the ways in which they have organized their research training and collaborations. CAM is clearly not a fully integrated and researched option in Canadian health care, yet Canada exhibits the foundations for an integrated CAM practice, supported by a growing, wide-ranging and well-articulated research evidence-base.