Linking research, policy, and action: evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is highly prevalent worldwide, resulting in legislation to regulate the providers and the products accompanied by enhancement of educational and research programs in many countries. Evidence-based Medicine (EBM), an effective approach for making healthcare decisions, can be equally applied to CAM, using innovative research methodology. When using Chinese Medicine (CM) as a proxy for CAM, the challenge is to develop a scientific model that could create a common platform of dialogue between CM and Western Medicine (WM), based on shared interpretation of CM syndromes, the pluralistic diagnostic logic, and multi-dimensional treatment approach. To facilitate the above, Hong Kong has implemented CM practitioner registration, transitional trade licensing, and control of proprietary CM. The Hospital Authority has created a modern delivery model by introducing an application system in CM pharmacy and clinical management, which could be used as research and audit tools.