Until recently, the phrases 'evidence-based medicine' and 'complementary and alternative medicine' were considered to be contradictory. However, perceptions of the role of evidence-based medicine in complementary and alternative medicine have shifted as the use of complementary medicines has continued to increase and become more closely integrated with 'mainstream' healthcare - in part due to the significant expansion in CAM's research base that has occurred over that past decade. Evidence-based complementary medicine will explore the principles of evidence-based medicine, and how these principles can be applied to evaluate the range of complementary and alternative medicines and therapies that are commonly utilised in Western nations.

You will be introduced to the concept of evidence-based medicine and develop the skills necessary to find and use the best evidence to answer clinical questions related to the use of complementary and alternative medicines. You will develop skills in asking clinical questions, searching for answers, discriminating good from poor information and research and using the answers to make clinical decisions. In this unit, the focus will be on applying these skills to complementary and alternative medicines.