Complementary and alternative medicine education in the United States, China, and Taiwan.

As public demand for complementary and alternative medicine increases,it is important for physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians to have some basic understanding of complementary and alternative medicine or at least to appreciate some of the approved indications so that appropriate referrals can be made. Because the concept of evidence-based medicine is essential for a successful physical medicine and rehabilitation practice in either academic or private facilities, well-developed research projects, such as randomized, controlled trials of large sample size, are needed to investigate the efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative medicine therapy.