Linguistic processing and classification of semi structured bibliographic data on complementary medicine.

Complementary and alternative therapies and medicines (CAM) such as acupuncture or mistletoe treatment are much asked for by cancer patients. With a growing interest in such therapies, physicians need a simple tool with which to get an overview of the scientific publications on CAM, particularly those that are not listed in common bibliographic databases like MEDLINE. CAMbase is an XML-based bibliographical database on CAM which serves to address this need.

CAMbase--a XML-based bibliographical database on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).

The term "Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)" covers a variety of approaches to medical theory and practice, which are not commonly accepted by representatives of conventional medicine. In the past two decades, these approaches have been studied in various areas of medicine. Although there appears to be a growing number of scientific publications on CAM, the complete spectrum of complementary therapies still requires more information about published evidence.

[CAMbase--the realisation of an XML-based bibliographical database system for complementary and alternative medicine].

Unlabelled: The term "Complementary and Alternative Medicine" (CAM) describes a variety of approaches to medical theory and practice that have not been commonly accepted by representatives of conventional medicine. This is why research results from this field of medicine are seldom reported in well-established medical journals. Due to the high level of interest and demand for complementary medicine, though, there is an urgent need for a system covering the scientific literature of complementary medicine.