Why fund AlterMed Research Foundation instead of funding researchers directly?
From the last 10 years of learnings, we know many prior CAM research studies did not meet the evidence-based research standard. Hence, there is an ongoing CAM research training emphasis with NIH NCCAM. Individual researchers favor their own research designs and results which may bring some inherent bias. Even though university/hospital researchers have their institutional review board providing independent research review, the expertise of the institutional review board and objectives are different from CAM research review to build upon CAM evidence. CAM is a unique field from conventional medicine and has its own experts. AlterMed plans to provide independent review of CAM research projects we fund via CAM experts/advisory board that also embrace the same research/evidence standard as mainstream medicine.
Related Questions
- Much of Foundation funding supports existing programs; what are the benefits of contributing through the Foundation rather than giving directly to those programs?
- Why should individual donors and the private sector fund university and hospital research when there is government funding such as the NIH?
- Does the Cancer Research Foundation directly employ physicians?
