Frequently Asked Questions

Summary of 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: http://www.rccm.org.uk/static/Links_CAM_databases.aspx
  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:
    • locate a library that holds the journal
    • request the journal as an inter-library loan through your local library
    • 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. Also, it may be worth searching some of the following databases for full text articles, some of which provide free access:

    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 visit our Libraries page in the Links section (http://www.rccm.org.uk/static/Links_Libraries.aspx)

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: http://www.rccm.org.uk/static/Research_intro.aspx?m=4
  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 (http://www.rccm.org.uk/camrn/CAMRN_intro.aspx).
  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. If you are eligible for full membership of CAMRN (http://www.rccm.org.uk/camrn/CAMRN_intro.aspx) you will soon be able to access extensive information on funding opportunities. There is also a list of funding bodies on our site under "Research and Courses", which is available to all enquirers: http://www.rccm.org.uk/static/Links_Funding_Bodies.aspx
  2. You might also find it helpful to look at the Department of Health’s R&D web pages, which includes funding information:
    http://www.doh.gov.uk/research/rd1/overview/overviewindex.htm
  3. For universities involved in CAM research including Masters and PhD programmes, see:
  4. You might also want to research other universities directly to find out whether they cover the areas in which you have an interest.
  5. 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 on our Links page:http://www.rccm.org.uk/static/Links_Prof_bodies.aspx
  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) or The Prince of Wales Foundation for Integrated Health (http://www.fihealth.org.uk). The Prince of Wales Foundation for Integrated Health can also provide information on what to look for when choosing a therapist.
  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:
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 as full members, or anyone who has an interest in CAM research as an associate member.
  2. CAMRN offers full members the chance to post news and information about courses, conferences, funding and job opportunities. It also hosts an online discussion forum for both full and associate members.
  3. For more details, see the CAMRN pages of the website: http://www.rccm.org.uk/camrn/CAMRN_intro.aspx
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. The Prince of Wales Foundation for Integrated Health (http://www.fihealth.org.uk) can provide information on complementary medicine for GPs, PCTs and NHS Trusts.
  2. In addition the RCCM has written a series of articles aimed at GPs, for the British Medical Journal. These are available free online as shown below:
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) or The Prince of Wales Foundation for Integrated Health (http://www.fihealth.org.uk).
  2. A list of organisations is available in the Links section (http://www.rccm.org.uk/static/Links_Prof_bodies.aspx)
  3. In addition, CAM course information is given in the Courses and Funding section (http://www.rccm.org.uk/static/Links_Courses.aspx)
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. For information about regulation of other therapies, contact
    The Prince of Wales Foundation for Integrated Health (http://www.fihealth.org.uk).
  3. In addition, the individual professional bodies set criteria to be met by their own members. For a list of organisations see the Links section (http://www.rccm.org.uk/static/Links_Prof_bodies.aspx).
Answers to:
Where can I find the MYMOP questionnaire?
  1. See the website for the MYMOP (Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile) Questionnaire: (http://www.hsrc.ac.uk/mymop).
Page last updated: 14th April 2004

Research Council for Complementary Medicine, The Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital,
UCLH NHS Foundation Trust, 60 Great Ormond Street, London, WC1 3HR
Email: info@rccm.org.uk Website: www.rccm.org.uk