IMPORTTEN: Integrative Medicine Patient-ORiented Translational and Treatment Evaluation Network

Many patients with chronic diseases use complementary therapies (CT) such as natural health products (e.g., vitamins, minerals, probiotics) and acupuncture. Most often, patients use CT without discussing them with their health care team. When asked, patients with chronic diseases say that they would like to talk to their health care team about their CT questions, preferences and goals. Most patients would like to be followed while using CT to see how they do (whether they experience benefit, harm, or no effect). There is a need for patients to be heard and for health care providers to know about CT use. We have established a national research Network that is the first in Canada to partner with patients, health care providers, and the health care system to inform the use of CT in people with chronic diseases. We start by sharing existing scientific information and then we actively build new knowledge with each participating patient. The Network will start its work in two patient populations: oncology (patients with cancer and cancer survivors) and mental health (patients with anxiety and/or depression). We will offer patients the best available scientific information to help shared decision-making with their health care team. We will offer to follow patients to see how they do. Our Network will create new knowledge by: (i) offering patients opportunities to participate in clinical trials that are relevant to their health; (ii) evaluating biological samples (like blood tests) to learn why some patients respond better to some treatments than others; and (iii) linking patient health information with other health databases. Canadians with chronic diseases deserve information that is relevant to their health priorities and goals. Most Canadians are using CT, but do not talk about it. We propose to address this important gap using the Network of scientists and the best scientific information. Our goal is to help patients make informed choices about their health.