The Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine's goal is to contribute rigorous scientific research on the integration of complementary and alternative therapies with conventional medicine. We are delighted to collaborate with others on clinical outcomes research. Our graduates form a uniquely trained and broad network amongst whom outcomes research projects can be completed.
Why IM?
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CAM Research Fellowship
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Educational Research
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Methodological Research
Why IM Research?
Much of conventional medical research focuses on subsystems of the body. Integrative medical research is interested in whole systems and uses complexity science and whole systems approaches to study complex packages of care.
Most research efforts nationwide apply reductionism to CAM research, an approach that may not answer broader questions regarding integrative models of care or the nature of healing. Researching a single intervention or an aspect of an intervention taken out of context may not provide an adequate test of the value of the intervention. Modalities that do not fit neatly into the current research paradigm are at risk for being marginalized without appropriate methods for studying them.
CAM Research Fellowship
CAM Research Fellowships are now offered through the department of Family and Community Medicine. www.fcm.arizona.edu
For more information on CAM Research Fellowships please visit this page on the Family and Community Medicine site.
Educational Research
AzCIM research has recently focused on analyzing web-based integrative medicine curriculum - its effectiveness and feasibility - providing educators and practitioners with the tools they need to effectively deliver integrative medicine.
Current Projects
Effect of a Web-Based Educational Intervention on Botanical Medicine on the Knowledge base and Practice Patterns of Family Medicine Residents
NASA: National Assessment of Stress Adaptation
Develops and validates a "Worksite Stress Assessment" instrument for NASA through the AzCIM Corporate Health Improvement Program (CHIP), designed to address and resolve the organizational and individual negative stress-inducing issues at NASA.
Integrative Medicine Residency (IMR) Needs Assessment & Curriculum Evaluation
Assesses the feasibility of implementing a web-based integrative medicine curriculum into the standard 3-year family medicine residency program.
Integrative Oncology Needs Assessment
Investigates the feasibility of incorporating web-based integrative oncology curriculum into an oncology fellowship.
Pilot and Feasibility Study of Patient Reported Outcomes of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Integrative Medicine
This study will be the first of its kind to implement multi-center internet-based outcomes research of ongoing CAM therapies in academic settings.
Overcoming Obstacles to Writing for Family Medicine Educators
This study will help identify and understand writing challenges facing family medicine educators.
Pilot Study of Alternative Treatments of Unexplained Chronic Fatigue
Identifies and provides general practitioners with evidence-based recommendations for therapeutic interventions for unexplained chronic fatigue.
Methodological Research
Our research team is working to advance integrative medicine study design. We focus on questions such as:
How can we study complex packages of care such as those used by a majority of patients?
Is integrative medicine as effective as conventional care? Does it save money?
Our goal is to create a practice-based research network which will gather clinical outcomes data from our fellowship graduates.
