The need to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine

JL Tang, TW Wong
Department of Community and Family Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Lek Yuen Health Centre, Shatin, Hong Kong

Traditional Chinese medicine is gaining increasing attention and popularity in Hong Kong. There is no doubt that traditional Chinese medicine as a system of medicine works; however, this does not imply that every therapy is efficacious. Prevention of the initiation and continuation of ineffective intervention is extremely important for the efficiency of any health care system. The evaluation of the clinical effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine is thus a top priority. Efforts should be made to register all randomised trials in traditional Chinese medicine and to regularly review and disseminate the evidence from organised research. These actions are essential for the promotion and practice of evidence-based decision making in traditional Chinese medicine.

Hong Kong Med J 1998;4:208-10

Key words: Alternative medicine; Delivery of health care; Evidence-based medicine, Chinese traditional; Randomized controlled trials