title: Consensus-based recommendations for case report in Chinese medicine (CARC).
abstract: Case reports are valuable clinical evidence in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, the general reporting quality is suboptimal. A working group comprising 20 members was set up to develop systematic recommendations on case report in Chinese medicine (CARC). The working group (CARC group) developed a primary checklist based on reviewing the general reporting quality of case reports in TCM and thorough internal discussion. Two-round consensus process had been carried out among clinical experts, evidence-based medicine methodologists, medical journal editors and clinical practitioners with designated questionnaire embedded with the primary checklist. In total, 118 participants from 17 provinces of China and Korea completed the questionnaires. Their feedback was analyzed and discussed by the CARC group. The checklist was amended accordingly, and the final version, comprising 16-item, is presented here. Under the framework of CARC recommendations, the reporting quality of case reports in TCM can be improved.
authors.affiliation: Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China.
authors.forename: Shu-Fei
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Chung-Wah
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Second Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300150, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Linda Li-Dan
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Wai
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kun
authors.affiliation: Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China.
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China.
authors.forename: Bo-Li
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
authors.forename: Yong-Yan
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China. shanghongcai@foxmail.com.|Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China. shanghongcai@foxmail.com.
authors.forename: Hong-Cai
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Shang
authors.affiliation: Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China. bzxiang@hkbu.edu.hk.|School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China. bzxiang@hkbu.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Zhao-Xiang
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Bian
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D058028:Research Report
keywords: Chinese medicine; case report; reporting recommendations