On February 4, 2011, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) released its third strategic plan, Exploring the Science of Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Third Strategic Plan 2011–2015. The plan presents a series of goals and objectives to guide NCCAM in determining priorities for future research in complementary and alternative medicine.  The plan outlines five strategic directions as follows:

Strategic Objective 1: Advance Research on Mind and Body Interventions, Practices, and Disciplines

Strategic Objective 2: Advance Research on CAM Natural Products

Strategic Objective 3:  Increase Understanding of "Real-World" Patterns and Outcomes of CAM Use and Its Integration Into Health Care and Health Promotion

Strategic Objective 4: Improve the Capacity of the Field To Carry Out Rigorous Research

Strategic Objective 5: Develop and Disseminate Objective, Evidence-Based Information on CAM Interventions

Click here to visit the NCCAM site and view the strategic plan on line or download it directly.