A new evaluation methodology study - Integrating ‘ancient literature - clinical research - expert consensus’ firstly proposes eight elements for taking Chinese medicine decoctions
BackgroundThe scientific and rational use of Chinese medicine decoctions can improve their compliance, safety and efficacy. However, there is a lack of national-level best practice guidelines on the management of Chinese medicine decoctions, particularly in the rational use of them. We aim to establ...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Pharmacology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1585428/full |
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| author | Feiyu Li Jing Shang Yixuan Li Guoxiu Liu Sijin Zhao Jiankun Wu Hongmei Chen Wanlin Wu Xuelong Zhao Huaqiang Zhai |
| author_facet | Feiyu Li Jing Shang Yixuan Li Guoxiu Liu Sijin Zhao Jiankun Wu Hongmei Chen Wanlin Wu Xuelong Zhao Huaqiang Zhai |
| author_sort | Feiyu Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundThe scientific and rational use of Chinese medicine decoctions can improve their compliance, safety and efficacy. However, there is a lack of national-level best practice guidelines on the management of Chinese medicine decoctions, particularly in the rational use of them. We aim to establish a comprehensive and standardised reference standard comprising key elements of Chinese medicine decoctions.MethodsThis study was conducted using the method of “Ancient Literature - Clinical Research - Expert Consensus”. (1) Ancient literature analysis: Systematically analysed 1,019 records of Chinese medicine decoctions in “Bijiqi Qianjin Yaofang”, and initially extracted the elements related to the efficacy of the medicine. (2) Clinical research: A questionnaire covering the knowledge and demand of medication was designed and distributed to medical institutions in 12 regions, including Beijing and Shanghai, and 87 valid data were collected. The results showed that 69.62% of the practitioners had encountered difficulties in providing medication guidance, and 71.62% believed that standardised guidelines were urgently needed. Accordingly, a preliminary knowledge framework was formed. (3) Expert consensus: 20 Chinese and foreign clinical pharmacy experts (including France and U.S) were selected to prepare an advisory form based on the preliminary results, and a consensus was reached after two rounds of the Delphi method, confirming the content of the general and personalised guidance, covering terminology, usage, storage, contraindications and other dimensions, and finally identifying the eight core elements.ResultsThe method of “ancient literature-clinical research-expert consensus” is the first time to refine the eight elements of taking Chinese medicine decoctions. (1) Analysis of ancient literature reveals that temperature, course of treatment, frequency, dosage, time of administration, storage conditions, post-medication care and contraindications are the key influencing factors. (2) Clinical research confirmed the urgent need for standardised guidance, and a preliminary framework for a body of knowledge was constructed. (3) Standardised definitions of the eight elements were clarified through the Delphi Expert Consensus, including temperature, duration, frequency, dosage, time, storage conditions, post-medication care, and contraindications.ConclusionThis international guideline addresses a critical gap in taking Chinese medicine decoctions, offering an evidence-based framework for rational clinical use. Future efforts should prioritize expanded clinical validation and scenario-specific protocols to optimize standardization and safety. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7ec6be27d8dc4dbcba381d5fb2c5d8c7 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1663-9812 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Pharmacology |
| spelling | doaj-art-7ec6be27d8dc4dbcba381d5fb2c5d8c72025-08-20T02:55:04ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-08-011610.3389/fphar.2025.15854281585428A new evaluation methodology study - Integrating ‘ancient literature - clinical research - expert consensus’ firstly proposes eight elements for taking Chinese medicine decoctionsFeiyu Li0Jing Shang1Yixuan Li2Guoxiu Liu3Sijin Zhao4Jiankun Wu5Hongmei Chen6Wanlin Wu7Xuelong Zhao8Huaqiang Zhai9Standardization Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dispensing, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaStandardization Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dispensing, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaStandardization Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dispensing, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaStandardization Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dispensing, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaStandardization Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dispensing, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaPharmacy Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaPharmacy Department, Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang, ChinaFrench Confederation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Confédération Française de Médecine Traditionnelle Chinoise, CFMTC), Paris, FrancePharmacy Department, Nanjing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, ChinaStandardization Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dispensing, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaBackgroundThe scientific and rational use of Chinese medicine decoctions can improve their compliance, safety and efficacy. However, there is a lack of national-level best practice guidelines on the management of Chinese medicine decoctions, particularly in the rational use of them. We aim to establish a comprehensive and standardised reference standard comprising key elements of Chinese medicine decoctions.MethodsThis study was conducted using the method of “Ancient Literature - Clinical Research - Expert Consensus”. (1) Ancient literature analysis: Systematically analysed 1,019 records of Chinese medicine decoctions in “Bijiqi Qianjin Yaofang”, and initially extracted the elements related to the efficacy of the medicine. (2) Clinical research: A questionnaire covering the knowledge and demand of medication was designed and distributed to medical institutions in 12 regions, including Beijing and Shanghai, and 87 valid data were collected. The results showed that 69.62% of the practitioners had encountered difficulties in providing medication guidance, and 71.62% believed that standardised guidelines were urgently needed. Accordingly, a preliminary knowledge framework was formed. (3) Expert consensus: 20 Chinese and foreign clinical pharmacy experts (including France and U.S) were selected to prepare an advisory form based on the preliminary results, and a consensus was reached after two rounds of the Delphi method, confirming the content of the general and personalised guidance, covering terminology, usage, storage, contraindications and other dimensions, and finally identifying the eight core elements.ResultsThe method of “ancient literature-clinical research-expert consensus” is the first time to refine the eight elements of taking Chinese medicine decoctions. (1) Analysis of ancient literature reveals that temperature, course of treatment, frequency, dosage, time of administration, storage conditions, post-medication care and contraindications are the key influencing factors. (2) Clinical research confirmed the urgent need for standardised guidance, and a preliminary framework for a body of knowledge was constructed. (3) Standardised definitions of the eight elements were clarified through the Delphi Expert Consensus, including temperature, duration, frequency, dosage, time, storage conditions, post-medication care, and contraindications.ConclusionThis international guideline addresses a critical gap in taking Chinese medicine decoctions, offering an evidence-based framework for rational clinical use. Future efforts should prioritize expanded clinical validation and scenario-specific protocols to optimize standardization and safety.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1585428/fullChinese medicine decoctionsrational use of medicineseight key elements for medicationdelphi methodtraditional Chinese medicine |
| spellingShingle | Feiyu Li Jing Shang Yixuan Li Guoxiu Liu Sijin Zhao Jiankun Wu Hongmei Chen Wanlin Wu Xuelong Zhao Huaqiang Zhai A new evaluation methodology study - Integrating ‘ancient literature - clinical research - expert consensus’ firstly proposes eight elements for taking Chinese medicine decoctions Frontiers in Pharmacology Chinese medicine decoctions rational use of medicines eight key elements for medication delphi method traditional Chinese medicine |
| title | A new evaluation methodology study - Integrating ‘ancient literature - clinical research - expert consensus’ firstly proposes eight elements for taking Chinese medicine decoctions |
| title_full | A new evaluation methodology study - Integrating ‘ancient literature - clinical research - expert consensus’ firstly proposes eight elements for taking Chinese medicine decoctions |
| title_fullStr | A new evaluation methodology study - Integrating ‘ancient literature - clinical research - expert consensus’ firstly proposes eight elements for taking Chinese medicine decoctions |
| title_full_unstemmed | A new evaluation methodology study - Integrating ‘ancient literature - clinical research - expert consensus’ firstly proposes eight elements for taking Chinese medicine decoctions |
| title_short | A new evaluation methodology study - Integrating ‘ancient literature - clinical research - expert consensus’ firstly proposes eight elements for taking Chinese medicine decoctions |
| title_sort | new evaluation methodology study integrating ancient literature clinical research expert consensus firstly proposes eight elements for taking chinese medicine decoctions |
| topic | Chinese medicine decoctions rational use of medicines eight key elements for medication delphi method traditional Chinese medicine |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1585428/full |
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