Brent A. Bauer, M.D.

As director of the Mayo Clinic Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program, Brent A. Bauer, M.D., has broad and varied research interests. Since its founding in 2001, the program has promoted a collaborative spirit that enables researchers from both within and outside Mayo Clinic to share resources, ideas and expertise regarding research in this exciting realm.

Dr. Bauer's personal goal is to ensure that research conducted under the auspices of the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program is always held to the same high standards as all other research at Mayo Clinic. By ensuring this level of quality, the results that are achieved will positively contribute to knowledge that can inform clinical practice.

This will bring real, evidence-based knowledge to patients and physicians trying to incorporate the best of conventional and complementary medicine practices.

Focus areas

Current areas of active focus include:

• Mind-body applications
• Herbal and dietary supplements
• Acupuncture
• Massage therapy

Targeted patient populations include those with cancer, heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders, nicotine dependence, fatigue and fibromyalgia.

Significance to patient care

The research of Dr. Bauer and the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program has had many tangible impacts on patient care.

For example, massage therapy is now routinely offered to postoperative patients, meditation training is being provided to more than 20,000 patients each year, and acupuncture is helping patients with migraine headaches.

These are just a few examples of how Dr. Bauer and his colleagues have been able to translate research into direct changes in patient care. Research informing practice remains a key focus for the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program.