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Consensus-based recommendations for case report in Chinese medicine (CARC)

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Abstract

Case reports are valuable clinical evidence in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, the general reporting quality is suboptimal. A working group comprising 20 members was set up to develop systematic recommendations on case report in Chinese medicine (CARC). The working group (CARC group) developed a primary checklist based on reviewing the general reporting quality of case reports in TCM and thorough internal discussion. Two-round consensus process had been carried out among clinical experts, evidence-based medicine methodologists, medical journal editors and clinical practitioners with designated questionnaire embedded with the primary checklist. In total, 118 participants from 17 provinces of China and Korea completed the questionnaires. Their feedback was analyzed and discussed by the CARC group. The checklist was amended accordingly, and the final version, comprising 16-item, is presented here. Under the framework of CARC recommendations, the reporting quality of case reports in TCM can be improved.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China

    Shu-fei Fu  (付姝菲), Jia Lin  (林 佳), Bo-li Zhang  (张伯礼), Hong-cai Shang  (商洪才) & Zhao-xiang Bian  (卞兆祥)

  2. School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Chung-wah Cheng  (郑颂华), Linda Li-dan Zhong  (钟丽丹), Wai Kun  (管 伟) & Zhao-xiang Bian  (卞兆祥)

  3. Second Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300150, China

    Li Zhang  (张 莉)

  4. China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China

    Yong-yan Wang  (王永炎)

  5. Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China

    Hong-cai Shang  (商洪才)

Authors
  1. Shu-fei Fu  (付姝菲)
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  2. Chung-wah Cheng  (郑颂华)
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  3. Li Zhang  (张 莉)
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  4. Linda Li-dan Zhong  (钟丽丹)
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  5. Wai Kun  (管 伟)
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  6. Jia Lin  (林 佳)
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  7. Bo-li Zhang  (张伯礼)
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  8. Yong-yan Wang  (王永炎)
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  9. Hong-cai Shang  (商洪才)
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  10. Zhao-xiang Bian  (卞兆祥)
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Hong-cai Shang  (商洪才) or Zhao-xiang Bian  (卞兆祥).

Additional information

Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81173363) and Health and Medical Research Fund (No. 09101501)

This author contributed equally to this work and should be considered as co-first author

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Fu, Sf., Cheng, Cw., Zhang, L. et al. Consensus-based recommendations for case report in Chinese medicine (CARC). Chin. J. Integr. Med. 22, 73–79 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2121-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2121-6

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