Related Experiment Videos
Toward a comprehensive evaluation of alternative medicine
1China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Assessing alternative medicine (AM) requires careful investigation into its objectives and appropriate terminology, preferring traditional medicine (TM) over AM. This study explores various assessment approaches using decades of Chinese experience.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Health Policy Research
Background:
- Growing public and governmental interest in medical systems beyond conventional cosmopolitan medicine.
- Need for rigorous investigation into the justification and assessment of alternative medicine (AM).
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the objectives of assessing AM to ensure impartiality.
- To explore appropriate terminology, favoring traditional medicine (TM) over AM.
- To examine diverse assessment methodologies for AM.
Main Methods:
- Review of assessment objectives and terminology for alternative medicine.
- Discussion of various assessment approaches, including time trials and integrated assessment.
- Utilizing decades of experience from China as a primary case study.
Main Results:
- The importance of clearly defining assessment objectives for unbiased evaluation.
- Identification of traditional medicine (TM) as a preferred term over alternative medicine (AM).
- Exploration of challenges in assessing acute-chronic and functional-organic diseases within AM.
Conclusions:
- Establishing clear objectives is crucial for impartial AM assessment.
- Standardized terminology, such as traditional medicine (TM), enhances clarity.
- A comprehensive approach, informed by extensive experience, is vital for evaluating diverse medical systems.
