Use of complementary and alternative medicine in children: research opportunities and challenges in an ever growing field

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) continues to rise across the globe and yet there remains a paucity of research underpinning the field; this is particularly evident in the area of paediatric CAM use. The limited evidence base and many unanswered research questions in the field provide a number of opportunities for conducting research into the use of CAM in children; this includes understanding the characteristics of paediatric CAM users, as well as the determinants of CAM use in children and adolescents. These opportunities need to be considered alongside several unique and important challenges if there is to be progressive understanding in the field. Such challenges include access to children and parents, research funding, research capacity, and ascertaining the determinants of parental decision making. Given the numerous research opportunities and challenges that this ever growing field faces, establishing a clear research agenda for key stakeholders in the field is warranted. This paper proposes such an agenda with a view to improving future health practice, education and policy regarding CAM use in children.