ATMS Journal Winter 2023 (Public Version) | Page 12

usually involve legally binding agreements that clearly identify the roles and responsibilities of all parties before a trial commences .
Partnering with university researchers is practicable for several reasons . Firstly , the training and processes necessary for obtaining ethics approval , as well as how to conduct good clinical practice research - including informed consent processes - require ethical approval from a Human Research Ethics Committee ( HREC ),( 16 ) many of which are university-based . ). Second , universities offer pathways to further research training and qualifications for practitioners interested in pursuing a career in research .
Funding research for natural medicine is a perennial problem .( 17 , 18 ) The study forming the basis of these reflections was sponsored by the Australian Traditional Medicine Society ( ATMS ), following a successful grant application in the 2021 ATMS Grant Round . The funding provided by ATMS paid for research assistance and an honorarium for participating practitioners to minimise their loss of income while participating in the trial . Without such funding , this type of research is often not possible .
Conclusions
Participating in this practice-based research study exposed researchers , practitioners and clients to the value of practice-based research . There was genuine interest in practicebased research from both massage practitioners and their clients . The study provided a vehicle for upskilling the participating massage practitioners ’ knowledge of research , particularly their understanding of how ethical considerations are embedded in research , data collection strategies , and collaboration skills with university researchers . A number of practitioners expressed interest in being involved in future research . Using practice-based research frameworks , there is a potential to generate a body of objective evidence on the effectiveness of natural therapies .
Acknowledgement
This trial was sponsored by the Australian Traditional Medicine Society ( Grant Round 2020 ). We would like to acknowledge the valuable contribution of Janaya Hutton , Research Assistant , who was responsible for correspondence with practitioners , including data collection . We would also like to acknowledge the outstanding contribution of the participating massage therapists and their clients .
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