Welcome

The Traditional, Complementary & Integrative Medicine (TCIM) Lab is a scholarly hub focused on the study of therapeutic pluralism. Therapeutic pluralism refers to the co-existence of multiple approaches to healthcare and healing, based on diverse paradigmatic frameworks; and is the norm across all global regions. This includes Western biomedicine, ‘traditional’ healthcare approaches with pre-colonial, Indigenous cultural roots (e.g., Ayurveda, acupuncture, ceremonial healing), and more recently-developed ‘complementary’ – that is, unconventional therapeutics (e.g., naturopathy, chiropractic, nutritional supplementation). Non-biomedical therapeutic approaches represent the primary form of accessible healthcare in many Global South nations, are in wide demand across the North, and are disproportionately used by women worldwide.

Located in the Department of Law and Legal Studies at Carleton University (Ottawa, Canada), the TCIM Lab is led by Dr. Nadine Ijaz. Our multi-disciplinary work includes policy, methodological, sociological, and workforce studies, as well as health services research. We welcome inquiries from prospective graduate students.