Application of consensus methods in making clinical practice guidelines of traditional medicine

Author: Xing LIAO ; Yanming XIE
Publication Type:Editorial
From: Journal of Integrative Medicine 2008;6(6):555-60
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: For a long time, in the field of medical research, due to lack of proper methods, research decision-making process has not made the most of human experience, recommendations and different opinions, viewpoints, and expositions related to subjective interpretation. At present, this problem in the course of the standardized clinical research on traditional Chinese medicine is particularly prominent and needs to be solved urgently. Consensus methods can be used for studying different perspectives within the group and get different levels of "consent" in order to achieve "consensus", especially in the formation of a consensus of experts, which are widely used now. Consensus methods include three frequently used methods such as Delphi method, nominal group technique and consensus development conference. The research team of WHO Western Pacific Regional Primary Osteoporosis Clinical Practice Guideline of Traditional Medicine completed the preparation of good practice points in the first draft after three expert consensus meetings by using consensus development conference method. This article discusses the application of consensus development conference method in the developing process of clinical practice guidelines of traditional medicine.