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Related Experiment Videos

CAMbase--a XML-based bibliographical database on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).

Thomas Ostermann1, Hartmut Zillmann, Christa K Raak

  • 1Department of Medical Theory and Complementary Medicine, University of Witten/Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313 Herdecke, Germany. thomaso@uni-wh.de

Biomedical Digital Libraries
|April 5, 2007
PubMed
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Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) research is growing, but evidence is scattered. CAMbase, a free online database, organizes over 80,000 CAM records, aiding researchers, physicians, and patients in accessing vital information.

Area of Science:

  • Integrative Medicine
  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Health Informatics

Background:

  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) encompasses diverse medical practices outside conventional approaches.
  • Scientific literature on CAM is expanding, yet comprehensive evidence remains fragmented and underrepresented in major databases.
  • Increasing patient demand necessitates better access to reliable CAM research for healthcare providers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address the gap in accessible CAM research by establishing a dedicated bibliographical database.
  • To provide a centralized, searchable repository for scientific publications on complementary therapies.
  • To support healthcare professionals and researchers in their understanding and utilization of CAM evidence.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Development and launch of CAMbase, a free online bibliographical database.
  • Inclusion of over 80,000 records from more than 30 CAM-focused journals and periodicals.
  • Implementation of a specialized search engine with syntactical and semantical analysis for efficient information retrieval.

    • Main Results:

    • CAMbase successfully aggregated a substantial volume of CAM literature, exceeding 80,000 records.
    • Analysis of 43,299 search queries (August 2003-July 2006) indicated diverse user engagement, including scientists, physicians, and patients.
    • Search queries focused on key CAM topics like acupuncture, cancer, and safety, demonstrating user interest and needs.

    Conclusions:

    • CAMbase effectively bridges the information gap for CAM research, serving a broad user base.
    • The database facilitates access to evidence for complementary therapies, supporting informed decision-making.
    • Future efforts include establishing a comprehensive digital library center for Complementary Medicine to further support practitioners and researchers.