Annual Symposium on Complementary Health Care

This annual scientific gathering has fast become a `state of the art' meeting of international acclaim. There are, of course, many conferences on complementary medicine but this one is different in several ways. In addition to being a regular event with an emphasis on international contributions, its format is that of rigorous research symposium which so far has not been adopted by complementary medicine. Abstracts are invited for the deadline of 1 September each year. These submissions are then reviewed by a panel of experts. Only those abstracts which contain original data and are of high quality are chosen. The submitted abstracts are then assembled under subject areas which eventually represent the sessions at the meeting. In addition several keynote lecturers are invited to give topical overviews, and the Annual Award in Complementary Medicine is presented to each year's prize winner who also gives the award lecture. Finally there are workshops to supplement the programme. This year the spectrum of topics included research methodology, phytomedicine, herbalism, acupuncture, homoeopathy, safety and cancer. There were more than 60 oral presentations from delegates from 14 different countries. A crucial part of the meeting were the discussions, and the organisers insisted that there was enough time for them. The discussions were often intentionally critical but they remained open, factual and constructive at alle times. The aim for the future is not so much to increase the size of the meeting but to continue ameliorating its quality. Considering its humble beginnings 4 years ago, the Annual Symposium on Complementary Health Care has come a long way. There can be little doubt that it has become one of the most important conferences on complementary medicine today. The next symposium will take place 10±12 December 1998. Enquiries to symposium secretary tel./fax +44 13 92 42 49 89 at this Department. E. Ernst, Exeter