Developing the Research Agenda in Complementary & Alternative Medicine

Sponsored by the Universities of: Central Lancashire, Leeds, Liverpool John Moores and Salford
The ACHRN gratefully acknowledges the financial support for the series of the King's Fund and the Institute for Complementary Medicine

Aims and Objectives of Series

General Aim:

To provide a forum for debate between a multi-disciplinary and multi-professional group of researchers, CAM practitioners and relevant user groups with a view to advance conceptual and theoretical thinking in the field and to enhance the relevance and take-up of research into practice.

Specific Objectives

• To explore different social science, practitioner and therapy user perspectives on critical issues within the research and practice of CAM

• To develop appropriate theoretical and conceptual frameworks for research in this field

• To consider how the interface between the research and practice of CAM can be strengthened

• To map central issues for research, theory and practice in CAM and the contribution that social sciences can make to this field over the next 5-10 years

• To provide a forum for intensive debate and exchange of ideas

• To disseminate the outcomes of the seminars in the form of published articles and/or an edited collection of papers.

We ran a series of six one day seminars over a twelve month period. The seminars brought together a core group of around 50 people on a continuing basis. The identification of this group was based on the academic, institutional and sectoral membership of ACHRN.

In addition to network members themselves, participants were also invited from across the UK to provide a core multi-disciplinary, health and social science group of academic researchers, postgraduate research students, CAM practitioners, CAM users, representatives of key CAM practitioner and umbrella organisations, and NHS/voluntary sector staff with an interest in the CAM field.

The seminars were linked by three elements:

1. Holistic Philosophy and Practice: the importance of understanding and recognition of the underlying philosophy of CAM in its practice, evaluation and research

2. Evidence Base: the need for the use of appropriate methods and forms of evidence on what works, with whom and in what setting, and the use of outcome criteria and measures that give primacy to the user's perspective

3. European and Cultural Factors: the importance of taking a multi-cultural and pan-European perspective.

The seminars were interactive, based around a set of pre-circulated papers prepared by the speakers. The speakers gave formal summary presentations of their papers, and discussants commented on the issues arising, that led onto intensive working group discussion. A final plenary session identifed key research, theory and practice issues in the area. We aimed to ensure that the seminars, while having a discrete contribution to the research agenda, were all interlinked, by the seminar chair drawing out key links, and careful briefing of speakers and discussants.

The seminars were held at different venues in the North West of England.

1. Spirituality, Science and Holism. How far can the social sciences investigate and measure therapies which are drawn from philosophies centred on integration of body, mind and spirit? January 2001.

2. Harnessing Non-Specific Effects. What is a non-specific (placebo) effect? How can non-specific effects be researched? How can non-specific effects be harnessed within treatment and care? March 2001.

3. Integrated Healthcare: Opportunities and Dilemmas. What issues arise in the integration of CAM and conventional healthcare? May 2001.

4. Accessing the User's Perspective. Why do users access CAM? What is the interface between experiential (user) knowledge and propositional (formal) knowledge? How can research tap the user's perspective on holism and holistic practice? July 2001.

5. Culture, Gender and Ethnicity. What are the cultural, gender and minority ethnic issues surrounding CAM users and practitioners? September 2001.

6. Professional Competence, Regulation and Choice. What are the implications for user choice and access to CAM against the backdrop of European legislation on regulation, CAM's move towards professionalisation and calls for evidence based practice? November 2001.