Integrative research: A mixed methods approach to ACHP research

Project: A Phase II randomized blinded cancer integrative medicine Chinese herb efficacy trial for treatment of anal HSIL in HIV-positive people using both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Background: Anal cancer is a growing public health concern for immunocompromised people. The mainstay of treatment is based on ablative therapy particularly cold knife surgical removal and/or fulguration of the affected area. This study is a 60-week, randomized placebo-controlled trial of a Chinese topical herbal medicine cream in 56 participants (28 in each arm) at the University of California at San Francisco Cancer Research Center. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are used in the project.

Methods: The Chinese traditional medicine diagnoses will be correlated with western-based bio-markers, and a qualitative survey instrument.

Results: In this study we are working to develop the model of interpreting HSIL, especially with HIV co-infection, according to Chinese traditional diagnoses in order to gain experience integrating the Western and Eastern approaches. The inclusion of qualitative research methods will bring the lived experience of the research participants in to the analysis of the outcomes of this research project.

Conclusion: While this is exploratory, it could lend credibility to the Chinese medicine paradigm and lead other CAM researchers to consider the use of blend qualitative and quantitative research methods.