Evidence-based medicine developments in Peking University in China

Article type
Authors
Hua Hu Y, Ling Tang J
Abstract
Peking University is one of the most prestigious universities in China. In 2002, with a vision of Professor HAN Qi De, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the University established the 211 Project Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) Group and Peking University Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. This EBM development is funded by the National 211 Project for development of world class universities in China and draws strength from Peking University's 13 Areas of Excellence in medical sciences granted by the Ministry of Education. The mission is to improve the quality and quantity of clinical and healthcare research of the University and to promote evidence-based medicine within the University and nationwide.
Both the Centre (http://pkuebu.bjmu.edu.cn) and EBM Group are headed by a specially appointed Chueng Kong Scholars Professor by the State Ministry of Education. The development relies on a strong muti-disciplinary team consisting of clinical medicine, epidemiology, clinical trials, medical statistics, medical informatics, medical ethics, traditional Chinese medicine, health economics, technology assessment, systematic reviews, health policy and management, clinical pharmacology, decision analysis, and basic medicine. In the first phase of development, the EBM Project has received $15,000,000 RMB (equivalent to some US$2m or Ero) from the University alone. Over 80 research and development projects have been initiated and some preliminary findings will be presented.
In 2004, the Centre, jointly with the Chinese Cochrane Centre Hong Branch, Hong Kong Hospital Authority and Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, organized the 3rd Asia Pacific Conference on Evidence-Based Medicine (www.hkcochrane.cuhk.edu.hk). Over 300 delegates from 28 countries and regions took part in the conference. The Asia-Pacific Evidence-Based Medicine Network was formed at the Conference with 12 founding country members.
Major difficulties encountered in the development of evidence-based medicine in the country result from misunderstanding and lukewarm attitude. The current healthcare environment also needs further improvement so as to promote a more scientifically based decision making system. One of the most important technical obstacles to practice of evidence-based medicine is the absence of high quality evidence presented in Chinese and accessible to most practicing doctors.