06.01.09
A national survey of acupuncturists, naturopaths, internists and rheumatologists about their awareness of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) trials, their ability to interpret research results, and their use of evidence in decision making, indicates that CAM research has the potential to make a difference in both conventional and alternative medicine clinical practice. The survey was conducted by researchers affiliated with the NIH, the Mayo Clinic, the University of Chicago, Harvard Medical School and the University of Massachusetts. It focused on awareness of two major clinical trials—funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine—which studied acupuncture or glucosamine/chondroitin for osteoarthritis of the knee. More than half (59%) of the 1561 respondents were aware of at least one of the two clinical trials, but only 23% were aware of both. As a result, the survey team recommended concerted efforts to train all clinicians in interpretation and use of evidence from research studies, and to improve the dissemination of results.