Methodology

Working Towards Gold Standards for Wellness

Depending on the culture of the medicine practiced, research in conventional medicine builds its strong reputation on a linear model that targets an end result. The eradication of smallpox and polio, or the removal of a cancerous tumour, are examples.

Complementary/alternative medicine therapies focus on achieving harmony of all systems for perfect health.

A standard that measures perfect health is not currently available. Once developed it will need validation. For either the conventional or CAM paradigm to be accepted, each must fulfill the research requirements of the other system. These requirements can be contradictory, making the process difficult to accomplish.

An Integrative Medical Model

CINIM believes that both the conventional and CAM approaches can be incorporated into a valuable paradigm of integrative medicine. An integrative approach combines conventional therapies with CAM therapies to utilize the strengths of both.

"An integrative medical approach is defined as the union of the paradigms of conventional and alternative therapies. Integrative medicine extends from caring for sickness and disease to achieving harmony in all parts of the person; mind, body and spirit. It has the flexibility to move from a linear to a holistic view and provides the patient with the most appropriate therapy at the most appropriate time."
— Dr. Badri Rickhi
Executive Director of the Canadian Institute of Natural and Integrative Medicine, 2002

At the Canadian Institute of Natural and Integrative Medicine, a key research objective is to demonstrate the positive effects of an integrated health care approach on the health of the population and on the cost of the health care system.