Information and useful links

Information


Useful links

The following recommended websites are grouped according to subject area.

Information

IHI at MR: Building Complementary and Alternative Health Care (CAHC) and Integrative Health resources for the college and community.

Quick facts

  • In 2003 20% of Canadians 12 or older said that they had consulted a complementary or alternative health care provider in the previous year. This was up from 14% in 1994/95. (Statistics Canada, 2005).
  • In 2006 74% of Canadians stated they had used at least one complementary or alternative therapy sometime in their lives.  Albertans (84%) were reportedly the most frequent lifetime users (Fraser Institute, 2007).
  • During the latter half of 2005 and the first half of 2006, Canadians spent more than $5.6 billion out of pocket for complementary or alternative therapy treatments (Fraser Institute, 2007).
  • 71% of Canadians regularly take natural health products (NHPs) such as vitamins and minerals, herbal products, and homeopathic medicine because they believe that NHPs are better than conventional drugs, for personal health concerns, or to promote personal health (Health Canada, 2005).
  • During the latter half of 2005 and the first half of 2006, Canadians spent more than $2.24 billion out of pocket for health-related books, medical equipment, herbs, vitamins and special diet programs (Fraser Institute, 2007).
 

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Library resources

Access books, videos and other materials that focus on the integration of complementary and alternative health treatments and practices with conventional medicine. These collections are a trusted source of evidence-based information.

  • The Library at Mount Royal manages a growing collection of complementary and alternative health care (CAHC) resources supporting the educational, research and scholarly needs of the University and health care communities. These resources include reference sources, books, AV material, journals and on-line article databases. Members of the MRU community may borrow print and AV materials with their MRU ID Cards and access the journal literature either on campus or on-line from remote locations with their MyMRU sign-on. Members of the health care community and the public may borrow print and AV materials with a current MRU Community Borrower’s card, a University of Calgary card or with The Alberta Library (TAL) card (TAL card borrowers are limited to print items). Access to the print and on-line journal literature is available on campus for members of the public and the health care community. Contact the Library’s Information Desk at 403.440.6088 for assistance in locating and/or using MRU’s CAHC resources.
  • The Marigold Library System, which houses a collection of CAM materials of nearly 1700 titles can be accessed through TRAC online.
    • http://www.tracpac.ab.ca
      Click on "special collections" on the right hand side of the screen (in blue type) .  It will open a short description of the collections.  Click "view CAM collection".  Click  "find in catalogue"  to view location of record.
  • Alberta Health Services - Health Link: Consumers are encouraged to use this 24/7 phone service to have questions about Complementary and Alternative Medicine answered.

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Assessing complementary and alternative health information

Are you someone who examines different health choices before picking the right one for you? More and more Canadians want to take an active part in their own health. We read articles on recent advances and surf the Internet. We want to know more about what we should eat, how we should exercise, how we reach and maintain our best health. We see health information from newspapers, magazines, the Internet and television every day. There are endless people telling us the latest news on how to lose weight, cure a cold, or treat diseases like cancer. One area many Canadians are trying to learn more about is complementary and alternative medicine. But, how do we know what information to trust?

You need to balance information that is used to sell a product with quality, researched information on a therapy's safety and usefulness.

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Sources of information

You can find information about complementary and alternative therapies in books, journals & magazines, from medical news in newspapers, radio or TV presentations and on the Internet.

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Warning signs to watch for with all sources of information

  • The product promises a quick cure-all for a wide range of diseases and conditions (multiple claims). No product works for everyone.
  • The words "scientific breakthrough, miracle cure, exclusive product, secret ingredient or, ancient remedy" are used. You must know the ingredients to know if the product will harm you.
  • The information includes testimonials claiming amazing results, especially if the testimonials are unsigned or initials only. Could you locate any of these people if you wanted to follow up?
  • The product can be bought from only one source and payment is required in advance.
  • The seller promises a "no-risk, money-back guarantee". Many sellers are not around to give you your money back. If you are able to get some money back shipping and handling are often not included in the refund.
  • The product:
    • comes without directions for proper use
    • does not list contents
    • is described as harmless or natural. Remember, most medication is developed from "natural" sources, and that "natural" does not necessarily mean harmless.

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What to watch for in books

  • Look for new or those printed within the last 3 years or, classics that have been reprinted.
  • General medical books cover disease conditions & prevention, nutrition, exercise, diagnostic tests etc. They are a good starting point.
  • Books sponsored by national health organizations are trusted sources e.g. American Cancer Society or the Arthritis Foundation.
  • Look for reference lists supporting research.
  • Check the author's education and experience. Don't assume an expert is a truly an expert - look for a qualifying degree or other reasons to believe the author's statements.

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What to watch for in journals and magazines

They primarily come in 4 types:

  • Scholarly means academic study, especially research (e.g. New England Journal of Medicine)
  • Substantive means having a solid base, being substantial (e.g. Nature)
  • Popular means fit for, or reflecting the taste and intelligence of the people at large (e.g. Chatelaine)
  • Sensational means arousing strong curiosity, interest or reaction. (E.g. National Enquirer)
  • Look for reliable health information in scholarly and substantive journals.
  • Do not rely on information from popular or sensational journals without checking further.

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What to watch for on medical news

  • Medical news can be poorly reported using simple terms that may not correctly describe the therapy
  • Communication problems and errors between reporters and scientists can lead to misleading information
  • The use of the terms may, suggest, tentative, or possibly are signals not to get too excited yet. The research is still in early stages and full results aren't known

Question studies
Medical news stories are often based on the latest research studies. Some important questions to ask about such studies are:

  • Sponsor: Who funded the study? Studies conducted by manufacturers or insider industry groups may be biased. 

    E.g. It is unlikely that research funded by a tobacco company would find smoking damaging to your health
    Type of study: Look for words such as "randomized", "double-blind", "case-controlled" or "placebo-controlled" for signs of a well-designed study.
    Sample size: Generally, studies on large groups give more valid results
    Study group: Was the study done only on men or both men and women? What age groups? What disease?
    Outcomes: What were the results of the study?
    Length of study: Generally, a longer study gives more valid results
  • Correlation & causation: Just because two things happen simultaneously does NOT mean one caused the other

When evaluating medical news…

  • Question the information - don't believe everything you read; don't jump to quick conclusions; don't change your lifestyle based on the results from one study. Wait to hear the whole story. Is the latest information very different from current recommended therapy? If so, ask why. Watch for other studies to see if the results can be reproduced.
  • Use news reports as a starting point for further searching

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What to watch for on the Internet

Can you answer yes to any of these questions when using a website?

  • Is online purchasing permitted?
  • Are "patient testimonials" available?
  • Is the treatment described as a "cancer cure"?
  • Is the treatment described as "having no side effects"?

    For example, The Internet for Medical Information About Cancer: Help or Hindrance?" study found that each "yes" answer is considered a "red flag." Each flag is a warning that the web site is likely to have vague or scientifically inaccurate information and the sites with accurate information were more likely to have links to respected scientific organizations such as the National Cancer Institute or the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (Pscyhosomatics, April 2003)

Ask . . .

Is the information from a source I can trust?

  • A good website will tell you who is responsible for the information on the site. Do not assume an expert writes it unless you can find this out through the contact us or about us section.
  • Generally, you can trust websites from
    • Government (a .gov website)
    • Organizations (a .org or .net website)
    • Educational institutions (a .edu website)
  • Is this information trying to sell me something? (A .com website)
  • Is it too good to be true? Does it promise a cure for a disease for which there is no known cure?
  • Is there a date on the information? Health information changes constantly because of new discoveries and older information may not show such changes.
Good information has Poor information has
Specific claim is this really the same thing as below? Many claims
States limitations (disease specific) No limitations (a cure-all)
Research based Testimonial based
References to published research studies No references to published research studies
Respected author and contact information No contact or author information

There is no one who cares about your health as much as you do. Take the time to ensure the information you are using to make a health decision is safe, helpful and current.

Matthews SC, Camacho A, Mills PJ, Dimsdale JE. The Internet for medical information about cancer: help or hindrance? Psychosomatics. 2003 Mar-Apr;44(2):100-3.

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Useful links

Health conditions A-Z: searchable reference guides

Aetna IntelHealth
This site provides information on disease and common health conditions as well as evidence-based information on integrative approaches and treatments.  This site also includes a Complementary and Alternative medicine Section.

Bastyr Center for Natural Health, Bastyr University
Natural therapies for Health Conditions A - Z

Complementary and Alternative Medicine, MedlinePlus
Health links from the National Library of Medicine

Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Evaluate Claims of Treatment Success
This site offers guidelines for deciding on different treatment approaches.

Informed Health Online
This site provides up-to-date evidence-based health information and resource tools.

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General health

Alberta Centre for Active Living - Physical Activity Counselling Toolkit
This timely and practical toolkit offers ten plain language resources for practitioners to use when working with their clients.

Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine
Free downloadable general health tips from Dr. Andrew Weil's site

Harvard School of Public Health:  The Nutrition Source
Information on what you should eat and drink along with healthy recipes.

Health Journeys
This site provides high-quality resources on wellness and health conditions.

HelpGuide
Tips on stress relief strategies such as meditation, yoga, tai chi as well as how to start a relaxation practice.

NIH Senior Health: Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Showcases research on integrative approaches to medical conditions specific to seniors such as heart disease, cancer and dementia.

No Baloney - The Science behind the Nutrition Hype

World's Healthiest Foods (George Mateljan Foundation)
Learn about the benefits of healthy eating and how to heal with food.

Alberta Health Services
The Alberta Health Service's site contains a comprehensive listing of health topics, an on-line video library, a guide to locating a family physician and other important health information.  

Anyone in Alberta with a health concern can call Alberta Health Link:

Toll-free: 1-866-408-5465 (LINK)
Edmonton: 780-408-5465 (LINK)
Calgary: 403-943-5465 (LINK)

 

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Children's health

Complementary and Alternative Research and Education Program (CARE)
An academic pediatric integrative medicine program designed to generate and disseminate evidence about pediatric Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) to ensure safe and informed use.

Southern Alberta Child & Youth Health Network
The Southern Alberta Child & Youth Health Network is a dynamic, voluntary collaboration among individuals and organizations concerned with the health and well being of all children, youth and families.

Healthy Kids with Dr. Nieman
Healthykids is a free site designed by Dr. Peter Nieman, a pediatrician practicing in Calgary, aimed at providing support and information to parents with children under the age of 16 years.

KidsHealth
KidsHealth is a doctor-reviewed health information site that focuses on pregnancy, birth, childhood and adolescence. It is split into three sections: one for parents, one for children and one for youth.

CAM Use and Children
A wide range of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies are used in children, this website offers information for parents who are thinking about using a CAM therapy for their child.

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Cancer sites

Canadian Cancer Society - Complementary and Alternative Therapies
This site highlights facts to consider when making choices about CAM therapies for cancer care.

National Cancer Institute - CAM Therapies
This site is maintained by the US National Cancer Institute, a component of the US National Institutes of Health.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Integrative Medicine
Evidence based information on herbs, vitamins and supplements for cancer.

The Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM)
This site coordinates and enhances the activities of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in the arena of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

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Clinical trials

Canadian Clinical Trials
A public source of information offering a searchable database of Clinical Research Trials that are actively enrolling patients in Canada.  Also offers links to medical and health news; general health information and patient support groups.

US Clinical Trials
A service offered by the US National Institutes of Health.

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Integrative health movement

Dr. Roger’s Prize for Excellence in Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Colloquium
The Dr. Rogers Prize, a $250,000 award, celebrates the trailblazers who embody a level of vision, leadership, and integrity making a significant contribution to the field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Canada. The Colloquium is a unique opportunity to join Canadian and international thought leaders in complementary and alternative medicine as they engage in dialogue about the topics that are of highest importance in CAM today.

Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine
Founded in 1994 by Dr. Andrew Weil, the Centre of Excellence in Integrative Medicine's mission is to lead the transformation of healthcare by creating, educating, and actively supporting a community of professionals who embody the philosophy and practice of Integrative Medicine.

Bravewell Collaborative
The Bravewell Collaborative is a private operating foundation conducting a variety of initiatives, all of which are designed to bring about systemic change to the American health care system by advancing the principles and practices of integrative medicine.

The Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine
A consortium of academic medical centers whose mission is to make a qualitative difference in peoples’ health by advocating an integrative model of healthcare, incorporating mind, body and spirit.

Institute of Medicine of the National Academies - Summit on Integrative Medicine and the Health of the Public (Feb 25 – 28, 2009)
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) and The Bravewell Collaborative partnered to convene a summit that explored the science and practice of integrative medicine. Site offers access to video webcasts and presentation slides of presenters.

Integrative Care: A Pathway to a Healthier Nation
US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
hearing to examine integrative care focusing on a pathway to a healthier nation. Webcasts: Statement of Record – Senator Edward M. Kennedy; Witness Testimonies: Mehmet C. Oz, MD; Mark Hyman, MD; Dean Ornish, MD; Andrew Weil, MD.

The New Medicine, a PBS Documentary; Companion Book; and Website
The documentary reveals inspiring physicians and patients discussing how understanding the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – is the key to effective treatment. The book expands how doctors and consumers can use this knowledge to take Western medicine to the next level. The website is an extensive resource for both individuals and healthcare professionals.

Prince's Foundation for Integrated Health
A foundation in Britain dedicated to demonstrate what is meant by ‘the best of all healthcare for the whole person’ by working with people and organizations that shape health policy and practice.

Alternative and Integrative Medicine Society (AIMS)
AIMS is a registered non-profit with a mandate to provide quality information on integrative medicine to the community

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Healing Systems, Therapies and Practices 

Traditional and Indigenous Healing Systems
An overview of healing systems developed in different world regions. This site outlines history and philosophy, treatment approaches, how they work and when to use them, as well as necessary training. Created by the Continuum Centre for Health and Healing.

Explore Healing Practices
An overview of healing systems and complementary therapies. Developed by the University of Minnesota’s Centre for Spirituality and Healing.

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Adopting an Integrative Healthcare Approach

Choosing Integrative Healthcare
Steps to follow when taking an active approach to integrative healthcare.

Considerations in Finding a Qualified Therapist
Factors to consider when choosing a therapist.

Professional Associations
Many therapies in complementary and integrative health are unregulated in North America. To protect professional interests many therapists belong to an association. Listed below are a number of associations offering valuable consumer information and some provide therapist locators.

• Aromatherapy
    Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists

• Ayurveda
    Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America

• Chiropractic
    Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors

• Doula
    Canadian Doula Association
    Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association

• Healing Touch
    Certified Healing Touch Practitioners in Canada

• Herbs
    American Herbalists Guild
    Canadian Herbalist’s Association of BC
    Alberta Association of Practicing Herbalists

• Homeopathy
    Canadian Homeopathic Pharmaceutical Association

• Hypnosis
    Canadian Federation of Clinical Hypnosis – Alberta Society

• Holistic Nursing
    Canadian Holistic Nurses Association

• Iridology
    International Iridology Practitioners Association

• Massage Therapy
    Massage Therapist Association of Alberta
    Natural Health Practitioners of Canada Association

• Meditation
    Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

• Midwifery
    Canadian Association of Midwives

• Naturopathy
    Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors

• Osteopathy
    Canadian Osteopathic Association

• Reflexology
    Reflexology Association of Canada

• Reiki
    Canadian Reiki Association

• Traditional Chinese Medicine
    Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Association of Canada

• Yoga Therapy
    International Association of Yoga Therapists

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Natural health products, herbs and supplements

ConsumerLab
This site highlights independent test results on popular vitamins, minerals, herbs and dietary supplements.  You can also research health conditions, drug interactions and homeopathy.  There is a subscription fee required.

MedlinePlus Herbs and Supplements
Natural Standard Research Collaboration information on the use of and interactions of herbal remedies.

NaturalHerbsGuide
Evidence-based information to help you learn more about herbal remedies.

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Integrative, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research

CAMline
A Canadian evidence-based website on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for healthcare professionals and the public.  It represents a successful collaboration of conventional and CAM organizations, interests and expertise.

Alternative Medicine Health Care Information Resources
This directory of websites covers both conventional and alternative practices. It provides links to many health related resources and is maintained by a librarian at McMaster University in Hamilton.

Cochrane Consumer Network
Cochrane Collaboration is the pre-eminent evidence-based group. It is a non-profit, international organization that aims to help people make well-informed decisions about healthcare by preparing, maintaining and promoting the accessibility of systematic reviews of the effects of healthcare interventions.

MEDLINE Plus
A comprehensive site of consumer health resources compiled and maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. The site contains links to information on conditions, diseases and wellness, a medical encyclopedia, drug information, a medical dictionary and links to organizations, a link to MEDLINE and more.

NCCAM - National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is 1 of the 27 institutes and centers that make up the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). Their mission is to support rigorous research on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), to train researchers in CAM, and to disseminate information to the public and professionals on which CAM modalities work, which do not, and why.

Pubmed
Pubmed is the home site for the National Library of Medicine database, MEDLINE. MEDLINE is a database of 11 million indexed journal citations and abstracts covering nearly 4,500 journals published in the United States and more than 70 other countries. It includes references to articles indexed from 1966 to the present.

International Collaboration on Complementary Therapy Resources (ICCR)
An international collaboration of national and/or government-funded online complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) information providers. Members:
Germany – CAMbase
USA - National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Australia - National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM)
Norway - National Information Center for CAM (NIFAB)
UK - NHS Evidence - complementary and alternative medicine (formerly National Library for Health, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Specialist Library)
Denmark - Knowledge and Research Center for Alternative Medicine (ViFAB) 

IN-CAM Outcomes Database
The IN-CAM Outcomes Database Team is a group of researchers who are members of the Canadian IN-CAM Research Network and who share an interest in CAM outcomes and promote the use of valid, reliable, relevant and appropriate outcome measures in CAM research and practice.

This database is of particular importance to Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) research in order to facilitate and support the assessment of CAM interventions through high quality research, and thus, to improve clinical practice and inform policy.

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Education and training for healthcare professionals

Healthcare Professional Series
University of Minnesota’s Centre for Spirituality and Health offers a series of free online modules (1 – 3.5 hours) introducing the field of complementary therapies and healing practices.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Online Continuing Education Series
NCCAM offers a free informative video lecture series about various aspects of CAM and CAM research. It is designed for health care professionals to receive continuing education however members of the public are invited to view.

 

Disclaimer: The Integrative Health Institute at Mount Royal recommends the following credible websites. However, the links from these websites are not necessarily credible. When linking to websites outside those identified by the Integrative Health Institute at Mount Royal the user does so at their own risk.

If the user stays within the recommended websites, the information should be reliable, but the Integrative Health Institute at Mount Royal does not guarantee this. Using the internet should not be considered a substitute for consultation with a health professional.

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Integrative Health Institute at Mount Royal  |  Phone: 403.440.8809

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