OCCAM Programs

Office of the Director
Research Development and Support Program
Practice Assessment Program
Communications and Outreach Program

Office of the Director

Functions:

Supports the mission and activities of OCCAM's programs, coordinates strategic planning, and manages the office budget
Provides expertise to NCI offices and programs for activities that involve CAM research or information products
Responds to inquiries from the media, Congress, and other organizations

Major Activities

Protocol and concept reviews for NCI programs
Monthly Lecture Series
Intern/fellow training in CAM research

Research Development and Support Program

Mission Statement

Functions:

Analyzes CAM research portfolio to inform funding and policy decisions
Advises researchers on how to prepare grant applications based on review committee comments
Manages grant activities post-award

Major Activities

Grant writing workshops
Program Announcement series "Developmental Projects in Complementary Approaches to Cancer Care"
NCI CAM grant coding

To learn more about research resources, visit the Research section.

Practice Assessment Program

Mission Statement
To improve the quality of care of cancer patients by rigorous scientific evaluation of cancer CAM interventions and by the facilitation of prospective research with the goal of developing novel therapeutic interventions.

Functions:

Networks with and guides CAM practitioners on how to compile high-quality best case summaries
Identifies novel CAM interventions for evaluation as anti-cancer therapies
Reviews case summary data from patients who use CAM therapies for the treatment of cancer through the NCI Best Case Series Program
Updates cancer CAM clinical trial listing
Promotes and supports collaboration between CAM practitioners and researchers

Major Activities

NCI Best Case Series Program workshops and presentations
Published articles on Best Case Series Program
Topic-focused roundtables

Communications and Outreach Program

Mission Statement
To acquire and develop high-quality information about cancer and CAM for NCI and for dissemination to the health care community, researchers, patients, and the general public.

Functions:

Promotes NCI CAM research activities, events, and initiatives
Develops print and online information products on cancer CAM for healthcare professionals and the general public
Conducts outreach activities and interacts with cancer CAM stakeholders
Solicits input from cancer researchers, CAM practitioners, and cancer patients to inform research priorities and the development of NCI CAM resources

Major Activities and Products