Integrative Medicine

The Institute’s Integrative Medicine and Clinical Research (IM) program conducts rigorous and pragmatic clinical and health services research that explores healing and wellness with a commitment to conducting research that can be readily translated into clinical practice. The Institute applies the rigors of modern science in the investigation of healing systems practiced in cultures across the globe in an effort to understand how these diverse systems of medicine contribute to healing.

The program has brought together investigative teams of talented epidemiologists, clinical researchers, clinicians, project managers and outside experts for the purpose of conducting relevant, rigorous research in the clinical practice setting. The IM program has been involved in the development of numerous protocols, demonstrating broad perspectives in the area of clinical research focused on complementary and alternative medicine. The program focuses its research efforts on the following items:

• Healing practices from conventional, unconventional, complementary, alternative, traditional and integrative medicine are investigated for their potential contribution to healing.
• Ideal integrative medical systems are documented and investigated for their potential impact and contribution in health care delivery.
• Particular components of integrative systems are investigated to evaluate their contribution to healing for selected conditions or populations.
• Traditional and indigenous practices from around the world are of interest to the Institute when they have the potential to fill gaps in integrative healing systems or if their application could have a significant impact on conditions of global importance.

The Integrative Medicine Research program is particularly interested in undertaking the following activities:

• Test effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine treatments.
• Lead a rigorous international research program that seeks to determine the value and effects of traditional and indigenous healing practices on conditions such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. (see Traditional and International Medicine Research)
• Use the PODS methodology to develop clinical and observational studies of such treatments, while preserving and respecting these traditions of healing.
• Produce applications of traditional medicine that can be integrated into the Optimal Healing Environments (OHE) framework and used widely, simply and at minimal cost.
• Stimulate collaboration among research institutions and clinics for the purpose of developing practice-based research networks.

Presentations

Coming soon.

Recently Published Research

Click here to view the latest journal publications and book chapters.

Working With Us

• Johns Hopkins University
• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
• Association for the Promotion of Traditional Medicine (PROMETRA)
• Hennepin County Clinic and Kent County Community Clinic
• Metagenics, Inc.
• TrialStat
• Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota
• RAND Corporation
• Big Island Substance Abuse Council
• Gaurang Clinic and Centre for Homeopathic Research in Lucknow, India

Fields