Article type
Year
Abstract
Background:
The evidence of many Chinese medicine (CM) interventions has not been systematically explored and validated with evidence-based medicine (EBM) approach. There is limited number of high-quality randomized controlled trials in Chinese medicine. Currently, ancient classical books and expert consensus are still playing an important role in the CM clinical practice. The best available evidence of CM may include expert consensus, modern studies and ancient literature evidence. Under the circumstances, it is necessary to integrate and transform scattered, different types of evidence to efficiently facilitate rapid guidance for clinical practice.
Objectives:
To develop online knowledge database of Chinese medicine using a whole-evidence approach
Methods:
We developed a “whole-evidence approach”, which aims to collate, synthesize and evaluate evidence arising from clinical trials, experimental studies, classical literature and expert consensus. Modern clinical and experimental studies were collected and evaluated according to the Cochrane review methods. The certainty of evidence was assessed by using the GRADE approach. The classical literature was searched and screened in Zhong Hua Yi Dian, which is one of the most comprehensive Chinese ancient literature collections. The analyses revealed similarities and differences between traditional and modern evidence. The collected expert consensuses were compared with above forms of evidence. The intelligently retrievable, shareable evidence–based knowledge database was developed by computer technology to show the available evidence map for CM.
Results:
The whole-evidence of CM for 29 conditions, involving Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture and other CM treatments were systematically assessed. The evidence of randomized controlled trial, non-randomized controlled studies, non-controlled studies, classical literature and expert consensus were synthesized and compared to provide summaries into clinical practice. Larger weight was assigned to randomized controlled trial during whole evidence in clinical decision making. Eighteen monographs have been published in English and Chinese. The evidence-based online CM knowledge database was established and could be easily retrieved, indexed and updated.
Conclusions:
The whole-evidence approach is a major milestone in Chinese medicine, which summarized traditional and modern evidence, expert consensus, clinical and experimental evidence together. The online CM knowledge database with whole-evidence approach can improve the efficiency of evidence practicing, promotes rapid clinical decision-making and benefits patients.
Patient or healthcare consumer involvement:
Clinician, educator, patients.
The evidence of many Chinese medicine (CM) interventions has not been systematically explored and validated with evidence-based medicine (EBM) approach. There is limited number of high-quality randomized controlled trials in Chinese medicine. Currently, ancient classical books and expert consensus are still playing an important role in the CM clinical practice. The best available evidence of CM may include expert consensus, modern studies and ancient literature evidence. Under the circumstances, it is necessary to integrate and transform scattered, different types of evidence to efficiently facilitate rapid guidance for clinical practice.
Objectives:
To develop online knowledge database of Chinese medicine using a whole-evidence approach
Methods:
We developed a “whole-evidence approach”, which aims to collate, synthesize and evaluate evidence arising from clinical trials, experimental studies, classical literature and expert consensus. Modern clinical and experimental studies were collected and evaluated according to the Cochrane review methods. The certainty of evidence was assessed by using the GRADE approach. The classical literature was searched and screened in Zhong Hua Yi Dian, which is one of the most comprehensive Chinese ancient literature collections. The analyses revealed similarities and differences between traditional and modern evidence. The collected expert consensuses were compared with above forms of evidence. The intelligently retrievable, shareable evidence–based knowledge database was developed by computer technology to show the available evidence map for CM.
Results:
The whole-evidence of CM for 29 conditions, involving Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture and other CM treatments were systematically assessed. The evidence of randomized controlled trial, non-randomized controlled studies, non-controlled studies, classical literature and expert consensus were synthesized and compared to provide summaries into clinical practice. Larger weight was assigned to randomized controlled trial during whole evidence in clinical decision making. Eighteen monographs have been published in English and Chinese. The evidence-based online CM knowledge database was established and could be easily retrieved, indexed and updated.
Conclusions:
The whole-evidence approach is a major milestone in Chinese medicine, which summarized traditional and modern evidence, expert consensus, clinical and experimental evidence together. The online CM knowledge database with whole-evidence approach can improve the efficiency of evidence practicing, promotes rapid clinical decision-making and benefits patients.
Patient or healthcare consumer involvement:
Clinician, educator, patients.