ARCCIM is the world-leading public health research group focused on the crucial need for investigation into the use and practice of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) in Australia and globally.

Our focus and program includes examination, exploration and evaluation of a vast range of medicines, practices, health care and practice systems and approaches to health and wellbeing not traditionally or predominantly associated with the medical profession or medical curriculum.

TCIM includes both practitioner-directed/provided care and treatments as well as vast community-based self-care primarily initiated and/or directed by the person or patient. Our program is focused upon examining and evaluating TCIM as provided by a wide range of practitioners, as utilised by a vast range of user/community/patient groups and as found across a spectrum of practice settings, within different health systems and in forms and approaches that reflect the perspective and experiences of a wide range of stakeholders.

Despite recent advances, the current evidence vacuum on TCIM use and practice remains widespread. TCIM is prominent in all societies worldwide (WHO 2024 TM Strategy) and the lack of science-based evidence has a serious impact on the ability to ensure safe, effective community health and patient care for all, especially for those most vulnerable including the chronically ill, older adults, Indigenous/First Nations peoples, those living in low to mid-income countries and those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

While consideration of the examination and evaluation of TCIM is central to wider public health scholarship and advances, here is also particular opportunity to help address health inequities and provide improved health and care for the most marginalised and vulnerable through the critical public health of TCIM. Our program is significant and directly relevant to addressing global health challenges.

Our mission is:

  • To subject TCIM practice and use to rigorous research methods and critical perspectives in order to provide a broad evidence-base for patient care and health policy.
  • To provide national and international leadership by informing world best practice and policy for TCIM use and practice within health care systems.
  • To increase the depth and breadth of research capacity in relation to critical trans-disciplinary TCIM enquiry amongst both researchers and practitioners.
  • To help guide and advance curriculum, teaching and learning developments around the critical public health of TCIM.