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Evidence-based practice method of integrative Chinese and Western medicine based on literature retrieval through PICO question and complementary and alternative medicine topics

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Abstract

An evidence-based practice method according to literature retrieval through PICO (Patients, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) questions and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics, which can obtain helpful evidence for guiding clinical practice, was introduced with a practical example in this paper. The knowledge of diseases and Western medicine treatment can be acquired by literature retrieval through PICO question, while searching by CAM topics may provide evidence for Chinese medicine (CM). Thus the author held that literature retrieval through both PICO question and CAM topics was an ideal evidence-based practice method for integrative Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM). However, since the standard in CM evidence hierarchy is still under study, the value of the CAM thematic retrieval method remains very limited. In the future, studies on the definition and hierarchy of CM evidences and the herb-drug interaction between Western and Chinese medicine during a combination therapy should be strengthened to improve the status of ICWM evidence-based practice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053, China

    Xiu-feng Yan  (闫秀峰), Qing Ni  (倪 青) & Jun-ping Wei  (魏军平)

  2. National Integrative Medicine Center for Cardiovascular Disease, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China

    Hao Xu  (徐 浩)

Authors
  1. Xiu-feng Yan  (闫秀峰)
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  2. Qing Ni  (倪 青)
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  3. Jun-ping Wei  (魏军平)
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  4. Hao Xu  (徐 浩)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hao Xu  (徐 浩).

Additional information

Supported by National Nature Science Foundation of China (No. 30973702); Beijing Project of Science and Technology Plan (No. D0805703020801); Major Discipline Project of China-Japan Friendship Hospital

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Yan, Xf., Ni, Q., Wei, Jp. et al. Evidence-based practice method of integrative Chinese and Western medicine based on literature retrieval through PICO question and complementary and alternative medicine topics. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 16, 542–548 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-010-0570-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-010-0570-5

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