Topical Collection

Evidence-based Practice in Complementary Medicine

Editors

Sok Cheon Pak, PhD

School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Panorama Avenue, BATHURST NSW 2795, Australia

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Research interests: Honeybee venom; Evidence-based practice; Signaling pathway; Integrative therapeutics

Soo Liang Ooi

School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Panorama Avenue, BATHURST NSW 2795, Australia

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Research interests: Complementary therapies; Nutrition; Naturopathy; Microbiome

Topical Collection Information

Complementary medicine (CM), as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), refers to a broad set of health care practices that are not part of a country’s conventional medicine and are not fully integrated into the dominant healthcare system. Examples of CM may include but not limited to herbal medicine, nutritional supplements, homeopathy, and forms of treatment such as massage, energy healing, and body-mind intervention. Some CM practice, such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, has a long history of use with established theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to a specific culture. Hence, the term CM is also used interchangeably with traditional medicine in some countries. Growingly, CM is recognized as an underestimated health resource, especially in preventing and managing lifestyle-related chronic diseases and meeting the health needs of aging populations. However, unlike the mainstream conventional healthcare that emphasizes the conscientious, judicious and reasonable use of best available scientific evidence for patient care, many forms of CM are criticized for the lack of scientific or medical evidence for their applications and health claims. Some may also cause unsafe or harmful side effects which are not known. Consequently, WHO has advocated the rational use of CM by promoting its evidence-based practice. To this end, there is now a global trend to develop the research expertise in CM and strengthen the evidence base for policy and decision making. This special issue provides an open forum for researchers to share their research findings in any aspect of CM. Results from human clinical trials are particularly welcome. We also encourage clinicians and health practitioners to share their use of evidence in CM practice or its lack. The paradigm, framework, or experience of integrating CM into conventional healthcare practice based on evidence is also a topic of interest. Contributions can be in any form, including letters to the editor, original research, case reports, and reviews.

Publication (8 papers)