CAM specialist library launched

The National Library for Health Complementary and Alternative Medicine Specialist Library (NeLCAM) was launched on May 15, 2006. NeLCAM aims to provide access to the best available evidence in the field of CAM. Although the content of the library is intended primarily for health professionals, CAM practitioners and researchers, most of the information is also accessible by patients and carers. The library is being developed by the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, the Research Council for Complementary Medicine and the School of Integrated Health at the University of Westminster. The first phase of the library’s development will focus on a number of CAM therapies, which have been selected for review and critical appraisal. The following topics (therapies) will be covered at the first stage: acupuncture, aromatherapy, massage, chiropractic, homoeopathy, hypnosis, herbal medicine, osteopathy, reflexology, meditation and yoga.

The library content focuses on high-quality evidence-based information, and includes additional information useful to the CAM community as well as to healthcare professionals and patients. Information types include Cochrane Reviews (protocols of ongoing reviews will be also included), abstracts of systematic reviews (included on Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects), other systematic reviews (subject to critical appraisal) and other items such as national guidelines, news and patient information (all subject to editorial review). The library will exclude primary research such as RCTs and observational studies (at a later stage the inclusion of appraised primary research studies may be considered), websites of commercial organisations and personal websites.

<http://www.library.nhs.uk/cam/>, accessed May 15, 2006