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Introduction: An increasing percentage of the Danish population is using alternative medicine. Danish doctors are in need of a more thorough knowledge about the effects of alternative medicine in order to be able to give their patients satisfactory information about it. Research into the effects of alternative medicine is therefore important. The purpose of this study was to analyse: 1) Whether or not Danish doctors were in favour of research into alternative medicine. 2) Whether Danish doctors had any specific wishes as to the choice of research methods in relation to alternative medicine. 3) Whether research into alternative medicine would make future collaboration between Danish doctors and practitioners of alternative medicine possible. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey of a random sample of Danish doctors was conducted. A questionnaire was mailed to 600 doctors. The response rate was 59%. Results: Danish doctors were especially positive towards research into reflexology and acupuncture. More than three fourths felt it was important that research into alternative medicine be designed in accordance with the principles of a clinically controlled, randomised trial. If an effect could be proven, 56% of the doctors thought that collaboration would be possible in the future. Discussion: The positive attitude towards reflexology and acupuncture accords with the results of earlier studies. Reflexology and acupuncture have already been introduced in the Danish health care system, which could explain the doctors' positive attitude.

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