Advancing CAM/IM research with clinical and research expert panels

Despite widespread use and benefit claims for serious disease, relatively little research has been established regarding the efficacy and safety for the majority of healing practices. Given the diversity of scientific and clinical information available to health care providers, it is essential to have methodologies that synthesize and distill the quality of information that is available. Thus, an evidence gap still exists for patients and practitioners in making appropriate decisions regarding health and health care. Samueli Institute created the Scientific Evaluation and Review of Claims in Healing (SEaRCH) to fill this gap offering scientifically rigorous, systematic and streamlined method for evaluating claims of therapies, practices or products for treating disease and improving health. Expert Panels are a component of SEaRCH. Clinical Expert Panels (CEP) offer valuable insight into the scientific evidence and what experts believe about a given clinical practice, product or treatment. The use of an expert panel to determine appropriateness of a specific clinical practice or treatment allows for the integration of the scientific evidence and clinical judgment to help make recommendations for practitioners. Research Expert Panels (REP) use specific and updated systematic research reviews as well as expert opinion from diverse panel members to provide specific recommendations on research directions. Information from these panels can be used to modify current practices, provide further validation for other healing practices or products, or examine appropriateness of specific practices. This talk aims to describe the methodology of each panel and its application for research and clinical decision making.