ObjectiveTo evaluate the methodological quality of cross-sectional surveys about Chinese medicine syndrome in a population at potential risk of cerebrovascular diseases. Methods The CNKI, WanFang Data, CBM and PubMed databases were electronically searched to collect cross-sectional surveys about Chinese medicine syndromes in a population at potential risk of cerebrovascular diseases from inception to December, 2022. The methodological quality was assessed using the JBI scale. Results A total of 105 studies were included. The average reporting rate of JBI was 52.06%, and the items with the highest scores included "sufficient coverage of the identified sample in data analysis" (100%), "description of study subjects and setting" (92.38%), and "using valid methods for the identification of the condition" (86.67%). Items with the lowest scores included "adequate sample size" (13.33%), "adequate response rate or low response rate managed appropriately" (14.29%), and "study participants recruited in an appropriate way" (20.95%). Subgroup analysis suggested that type of publication and number of implementation centers were potential factors influencing methodology quality (P<0.05). Conclusion The methods essential to a cross-sectional survey such as sampling, sample size calculation and handling with the response rate, and the syndrome diagnosis scales specific to Chinese medicine require further improvement.
The RE-AIM framework is the most commonly used framework for implementation research outcome evaluation, with the original paper cited 2 800 times. However, in the specific operationalization process of the framework, there are often situations of misuse or overuse of various dimensions and indicators. This article provides a detailed introduction to the main content, application scenarios, and characteristics of the RE-AIM framework. Taking the implementation research of Evidence-based Practice Guidelines for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Treatment of Stroke as an example, it introduces how to use the silent & anonymous feedback technology, which combines the improved Delphi method and nominal group technique, to construct an implementation outcome indicator evaluation system to achieve the operability of the RE-AIM framework. This will provide a reference for other researchers to use implementation science theories, models, and frameworks to develop implementation plans or evaluate implementation outcomes.
Objective To evaluate the reporting quality of rapid guidelines on Chinese medicine responding to public health emergencies. Methods The databases of PubMed, Embase, CNKI, CBM, WanFang Data, and preprint platforms were electronically searched. A supplementary search was performed by navigating the websites and Wechat public platforms specific to guideline development and dissemination, health and medical governing bodies, and academic organizations of Chinese medicine. Only guidelines published within three months after the onset of acute respiratory infectious diseases were eligible. The database search settings were as follows: SARS guidelines up to May 2003, H1N1 guidelines up to August 2009, and COVID-19 guidelines up to April 2020. The report quality was assessed using the Reporting Items for practice Guidelines in HealThcare (RIGHT) and its extension for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Results A total of 50 rapid guidelines on Chinese medicine responding to public health emergencies were included, indicating a growing trend in the number of guidelines. The RIGHT items most frequently reported were item 1c (n=46, 92.00%), item 7a (n=47, 94.00%), item 13a (n=49, 98.00%). The items extended to TCM was generally frequently reported (≥50%). However, the ten key items related to evidence, recommendations, funding, and the declaration and management of interest were rarely reported. Conclusion Enhancing the reporting quality of rapid guidelines on Chinese medicine in response to public health emergencies requires methodological solutions. The development of such guideline reporting standards should consider the unique characteristics of public health emergencies and the special nature of Chinese medicine evidence.
Traditional Chinese medicine has been used for the treatment of many diseases including acute infections often associated with public health emergencies for thousands of years. However, clinical evidence supporting the use of these treatments is insufficient, and the mechanism for using Chinese medicine therapy in the public health setting has not been fully established. In this report, the Evidence-based Traditional and Integrative Chinese medicine Responding to Public Health Emergencies Working Group proposed five recommendations to facilitate the inclusion of Chinese medicine as part of our responses to public health emergencies. It is expected that the Working Group’s proposals may promote the investigation and practice of Chinese Medicine in public health settings.