title: International development of traditional medicine / complementary and alternative medicine research--what can Europe learn?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to analyse global research and development (R&D) strategies for traditional medicine (TM) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) across the world to learn from previous and on-going activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  52 representatives within CAMbrella nominated 43 key international stakeholders (individuals and organisations) and 15 of these were prioritised. Information from policy documents including mission statements, R&D strategies and R&D activities were collected in combination with personal interviews. Data were analysed using the principles of content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Key stakeholders vary greatly in terms of capacity, mission and funding source (private/public). They ranged from only providing research funding to having a comprehensive R&D and communication agenda. A common shift in R&D strategy was noted; whereas 10 years ago research focused mainly on exploring efficacy and mechanisms, today the majority of stakeholders emphasise the importance of a broad spectrum of research, including methodologies exploring context, safety and comparative effectiveness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The scarce public investment in this field in Europe stands in stark contrast to the large investments found in Australia, Asia and North America. There is an emerging global trend supporting a broad research repertoire, including qualitative and comparative effectiveness research. This trend should be considered by the EU given the experience and the substantial research funding committed by the included stakeholders. To facilitate international collaborative efforts and minimise the risk of investment failure, we recommend the formation of a centralised EU CAM research centre fostering a broad CAM R&D agenda with the responsibility for implementing the relevant findings of CAMbrella.
authors.affiliation: Research Group Integrative Care, Division of Nursing, Department of Neurobiology, Caring Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden. Johanna.hok@ki.se
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hök
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lewith
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Weidenhammer
authors.forename: Koldo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Santos-Rey
authors.forename: Vinjar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fønnebø
authors.forename: Solveig
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wiesener
authors.forename: Torkel
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Falkenberg
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D005060:Europe; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration; D006705:Homeopathy; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012106:Research; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data