Development and validation a methodology model for traditional Chinese medicine good practice recommendation: an...

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Methodology Development

Background:

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) lacks standardized methods for formulating good practice recommendations (GPRs).
• Clinical experience in TCM needs a structured approach for developing reliable guidelines.
• Existing TCM guidelines may vary in quality and consistency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rational and standardized methodology model for creating TCM good practice recommendations (GPRs).
• To guide the formulation of TCM GPRs based on clinical experience and best practices.
• To establish a framework for defining, formulating, and reporting TCM GPRs.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory sequential mixed-method approach was employed.
• Systematic coding of literature on methodology and TCM guidelines using best-fit framework synthesis.
• Validation of the developed methodology model using real-world data, saturation tests, and discriminability tests.

Main Results:

• A TCM GPR methodology model was successfully developed, comprising 3 themes and 10 sub-themes.
• The model demonstrated data saturation, indicating comprehensive coverage of the topic.
• Validation confirmed good fit, discriminability across different guideline characteristics, and structural rationality.

Conclusions:

• The developed TCM GPR methodology model standardizes the formulation, definition, and reporting of TCM GPRs.
• The model facilitates the scientific and rational formation of TCM GPRs.
• Provides theoretical and methodological guidance for creating robust TCM GPRs.