F.A.Q.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where can I find information and research on a particular therapy?
• Where can I find information and research on a particular medical condition?
• I have a list of references for research; how do I get the full text of the articles?
• Can I request a search of the CISCOM Database?
• Have you any advice on carrying out research into CAM?
• Where can I apply for funding to carry out research?
• Where can I apply for a Masters course or PhD in complementary medicine?
• Does the RCCM fund research projects?
• Which complementary therapy would you recommend for me?
• Should I buy a particular product I have seen on sale?
• How can I find a complementary therapist?
• Which complementary therapies can help someone diagnosed with cancer?
• How many people use complementary therapies?
• How many complementary therapists are there in the UK?
• What are the trends in usage of complementary and alternative medicine?
• I am doing an A level module in use of complementary medicine. Do you have any general information?
• Can I join the RCCM?
• Can you distribute information for me to your mailing list?
• How can I join the CAM Researcher Network?
• Do you have any information for GPs or PCTs interested in complementary medicine?
• Can you provide a sample policy for NHS Trusts on use of complementary medicine?
• How can I train to be a therapist?
• What are the regulations for practising as a complementary therapist in the UK?
• Where can I find the MYMOP questionnaire?

Answers to:
Where can I find information and research on a particular therapy?
Where can I find information and research on a particular medical condition?
Can I request a search of the CISCOM Database?
I have a list of references for research; how do I get the full text of the articles?

1. There are a number of online databases where you can find research information. A list of these is provided in the Links section of the website: CAM Databases
    
2. This list includes details of PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed which can be accessed free of charge via the internet and which can be searched by study type, for example you can specify clinical trials.
    
3. The RCCM also holds research information in its CISCOM Database, but searches of CISCOM are not being offered at present as we are carrying out a review of the service and its structure.
    
4. Database searches will provide you with references to research articles. To obtain the full text of any articles you will need to do one of the following:

a) locate a library that holds the journal

b) request the jounral as an inter-library loan through your local library

c) download the article from an on-line source if available

There is sometimes a charge for this, usually payable by credit card. However, a number of articles are freely available online, so it is worth searching for the journal website to check this.

If you cannot get free online access and do not want to purchase the article then you will need to locate a hard copy in a library. For a listing of libraries select the Libraries page in the Links section

Answers to:
Have you any advice on carrying out research into CAM?

1. For advice on how to carry out research please see the Research Methods section of the site.
    
2. CAMRN members can see further information on courses, conferences and job opportunities as well as having access to an online discussion forum for CAM researchers.
    
3. For funding information, see: Where can I apply for funding to carry out research?
    
4. For information on universities and postgraduate study/research, see: Where can I apply for a Masters course or PhD in complementary medicine?

Answers to:
Where can I apply for funding to carry out research?
Where can I apply for a Masters course or PhD in complementary medicine?
Does the RCCM fund research projects?

1. The RCCM is not currently funding any external research projects. However, there is  a list of funding bodies under the "CAM Funding" menu option.
    
2. For universities involved in CAM research including Masters and PhD programmes, see:

- The RCCM CAM Resources Map

- The RCCM website “CAM Courses” page that includes university courses run in the UK as well as abroad.

You might also want to research other universities directly to find out whether they cover the areas in which you have an interest.

If you are thinking of registering for an MPhil or PhD, you might want to consider fist taking a Masters qualification with a research methods component (if you have not already done so). This would be something to discuss with the universities that you approach.

Answers to:
Which complementary therapy would you recommend for me?
Should I buy a particular product I have seen on sale?
How can I find a complementary therapist? 
Which complementary therapies can help someone diagnosed with cancer?

1. We regret that the RCCM cannot recommend particular therapies or products, or give advice on whether they might be suitable for you. Always consult a qualified health professional about treatment options.
    
2. If you are already considering a particular complementary therapy and would like more information about it, please contact one of the professional bodies for that therapy. A list is available under the Links section: "Prof Bodies"
    
3. For general advice on which therapies or products might be helpful for your condition, we suggest you contact an umbrella body such as the British Complementary Medicine Association (http://www.bcma.co.uk).
    
4. For advice on treatments for patients with cancer, we suggest you contact the Bristol Cancer Help Centre (http://www.bristolcancerhelp.org). The Centre also has a helpline for patients and their carers (0845 123 2310).

Answers to:
How many people use complementary therapies?
How many complementary therapists are there in the UK?
What are the trends in usage of complementary and alternative medicine?
I am doing an A level module in use of complementary medicine. Do you have any general information?

1. It is difficult to estimate the number of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapists in the UK, as there is no central register of therapists and no single definition of what is a complementary therapy. Instead, it is probably more helpful to consider demand for CAM and how many people use it. Three publications you might find useful are:

- Use and expenditure on complementary medicine in England: a population based survey, K J Thomas, J P Nicholl, P Coleman, Complementary Therapies in Medicine (March 2001), Volume 9, Issue 1, pp2-11

- Complementary and Alternative medicine: the consumer perspective (Report of a pilot study), Chi-Keong Ong and Bridget Banks

- Complementary and Alternative Medicine, (Report of the House of Lords’ Select Committee on Science and Technology - see http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199900/ldselect/ldsctech/123/12301.htm)
HMSO, 2000 (http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk)

Answers to:
Can I join the RCCM?
Can you distribute information for me to your mailing list?
How can I join the CAM Researcher Network?

1. The RCCM itself is not a membership organisation. However, it does run CAMRN (the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Researcher Network), which is open to experienced researchers or anyone who has an interest in CAM research.
    
2. CAMRN offers those who have registered the chance to post news and information about research, courses, conferences, funding and job opportunities.

Answers to:
Do you have any information for GPs or PCTs interested in complementary medicine?
Can you provide a sample policy on use of complementary medicine in NHS Trusts?

1. Information about GPs or PCTs interested in complementary medicine is not currently available.
    
2. The RCCM has written a series of articles aimed at GPs, for the British Medical Journal. These are available free online as shown below:

- ABC of complementary medicine: What is complementary medicine?Andrew Vickers and Catherine Zollman, BMJ 1999;319:693-696
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/319/7211/693

- ABC of complementary medicine: Complementary medicine in conventional practice, Andrew Vickers and Catherine Zollman, BMJ 1999;319:901-904
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/319/7214/901

- ABC of complementary medicine: Acupuncture, Andrew Vickers and Catherine Zollman, BMJ 1999;319:973-976
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/319/7215/973

- ABC of complementary medicine: Herbal medicine, Andrew Vickers and Catherine Zollman, BMJ 1999;319:1050-1053, 
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/319/7216/1050

- ABC of complementary medicine: Homoeopathy, Andrew Vickers and Catherine Zollman, BMJ 1999 October 23; 319:1115-1118
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/319/7217/1115

- ABC of complementary medicine: Unconventional approaches to nutritional medicine, Andrew Vickers and Catherine Zollman, BMJ 1999;319:1419-1422
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/319/7222/1419

Answers to:
How can I train to be a therapist?

1. For information on training, contact one of the professional bodies for a particular therapy, or an umbrella organisation for complementary medicine such as the British Complementary Medicine Association (http://www.bcma.co.uk).
    
2. A list of professional bodies is available in the Links section under "Prof Bodies"
    
3. In addition, CAM course information is given in the "CAM Courses" section

Answers to:
What are the regulations for practising as a complementary therapist in the UK?

1. At present only chiropractic and osteopathy have statutory regulation, which is adminstered by the following bodies:
   General Osteopathic Council (http://www.osteopathy.org.uk/)
   General Chiropractic Council (http://www.gcc-uk.org/)
    
2. In addition, the individual professional bodies set criteria to be met by their own members. For a list of professional bodies see "Prof bodies" under the Links section 

Answers to:
Where can I find the MYMOP questionnaire?

1. See the website for the MYMOP (Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile) Questionnaire: (http://sites.pcmd.ac.uk/mymop/).