ABSTRACT
Access to published and unpublished research is fundamental for the development of evidence-based complementary medicine as is the ability to interpret the evidence in a way that is appropriate and relevant to clinical practice. This requires a community of ‘research aware’ practitioners who are skilled in critical appraisal techniques and who are able to assess the different forms of evidence the research might present. Adopting an evidence-based approach to complementary medicine will clearly require a balance between rigour and relevance. Verhoef and colleagues are prepared to immerse themselves in the swampy lowlands via the use of rigourous qualitative research techniques that facilitate an exploration of different dimensions of patient experience. The ability to discriminate between different ways of knowing – and the relevance of different types of knowledge to the patient, the context, and the culture – will enable practitioners to assess and use the available evidence appropriately.
