I.6 Conclusions
By collating a range of published literature this project has established a firm basis for future comparative analysis in the field of CAM. It has set out what is already known in Germany and in the UK about the demand for and supply of CAM Services and products and has identified trends in Providers and Services. Comparison of the CAM field in Germany and the UK has highlighted a number of important similarities and differences. Before final conclusions can be drawn the following hypotheses require further in-depth analysis with an orientation towards policy-relevant questions:
- Demand for CAM Services and products is increasing but is shifting to other Population groups which have not been traditional users of CAM.
- Traditional differences in the types of CAM Services available are decreasing.
- There is divergence of CAM Providers, with specialisation of monotherapeutic practitioners in the UK compared with the continuation of generalist Heilpraktiker in Germany.
- In both countries CAM teaching and research is established/institutionalised (or being piloted), including integration with established medical curricula.
- There is a trend towards increased professionalisation of CAM Providers, including specialisation and more formal education of Single CAM Providers.
- Public reimbursement of CAM products and Services is decreasing in Germany but increasing in the UK.
- There is a concentration of CAM Services in primary/ambulatory care, with little activity in inpatient settings.
- CAM products are mainly available over the counter, but there are differences in retail venues in the two countries.
