Effective Application of Knowledge Management in Evidence-based Chinese Medicine: A Case Study

Chinese medicine (CM) practice, as a knowledge-based industry, has not embraced knowledge management (KM) techniques widely. However, KM may facilitate the adaptation and promotion of evidence-based CM. A KM framework was introduced to its activities in evidence-based CM through the development of a CM portal. A codification strategy was used to codify and store knowledge systematically in a database. Several approaches were developed and implemented to address specific needs for CM such as centralizing the information, encouraging collective efforts, promoting integration of explicit and tacit knowledge, and developing a flexible technology and support system. Following the established KM framework, the RMIT Chinese Medicine Portal (www.chinese-medicine.com.au) was built up with four major components: organizational knowledge, knowledge workers, KM processes and information technology. Knowledge on Chinese herbs was classified into core, advanced and innovative categories, which involved the development of the monograph template. A working group was organized including CM, pharmacology and information technology professionals to implement this proposal with following sequential development stages: knowledge creation/acquisition, storage/organization, distribution and application. User interface and web language were also defined and accomplished. This case study demonstrates the applicability of KM in evidence-based CM through a multidisciplinary collaboration, such as, an effective collaboration between CM and information technology. The study also shows the potential of KM application in other disciplines of complementary and alternative medicine.

[1]  C. Xue,et al.  Treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis by Chinese herbal medicine: a randomized placebo controlled trial. , 2003, Alternative therapies in health and medicine.

[2]  Kai Mertins,et al.  Knowledge management : concepts and best practices , 2003 .

[3]  H. Koh,et al.  Pharmacists' patterns of use, knowledge, and attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine. , 2003, Journal of alternative and complementary medicine.

[4]  Robert de Hoog,et al.  Supporting knowledge management: A selection of methods and techniques , 1997 .

[5]  S. Cha,et al.  Physicians' Attitudes Toward Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Their Knowledge of Specific Therapies: A Survey at an Academic Medical Center , 2006, Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM.

[6]  R J Rodrigues,et al.  Policy and Practice Information systems: the key to evidence- based health practice , 2000 .

[7]  J. B. Walker,et al.  How do herbal resources measure up? , 2001, Journal of the American Pharmacists Association.

[8]  Rudy L. Ruggles,et al.  Knowledge Management Tools , 1996 .

[9]  H. Arai,et al.  Double-Blind , Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of the Chinese Herbal Medicine ‘ ‘ Ba Wei Di Huang Wan ’ ’ in the Treatment of Dementia , 2004 .

[10]  Dorothy E. Leidner,et al.  Review: Knowledge Management and Knowledge Management Systems: Conceptual Foundations and Research Issues , 2001, MIS Q..

[11]  Michael Holm Larsen,et al.  Distributed knowledge management based on product state models - the case of decision support in health care administration , 1987, Decis. Support Syst..

[12]  Finding the Evidence in CAM: a Student's Perspective , 2005, Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM.

[13]  R. Kessler,et al.  Trends in alternative medicine use in the United States, 1990-1997: results of a follow-up national survey. , 1998, JAMA.

[14]  Ingo Hoffmann.  Knowledge Management Tools , 2001 .

[15]  Young-Gul Kim,et al.  A stage model of organizational knowledge management: a latent content analysis , 2001, Expert Syst. Appl..

[16]  Chyna Jt.  The top 20 healthcare Web sites. How your patients are using them. , 2001 .

[17]  Anne W. Taylor,et al.  The escalating cost and prevalence of alternative medicine. , 2002, Preventive medicine.

[18]  Morten T. Hansen,et al.  What's your strategy for managing knowledge? , 1999, Harvard business review.

[19]  M. Clarke,et al.  Is Evidence-Based Medicine Relevant to the Developing World? , 2005, Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM.

[20]  J. Chyna.  The top 20 healthcare Web sites. How your patients are using them. , 2001, Healthcare executive.

[21]  N. Talley,et al.  Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with Chinese herbal medicine: a randomized controlled trial. , 1998, JAMA.

[22]  Elisabeth Davenport,et al.  Capitalizing on Knowledge: From E-Business to K-Business , 2002, J. Documentation.

[23]  Michael H. Zack,et al.  Developing a Knowledge Strategy , 1999 .

[24]  M. O’Beirne,et al.  Assessment of the information needs and use of information resources on complementary and alternative medicine by Alberta family physicians. , 2004, Clinical and investigative medicine. Medecine clinique et experimentale.

[25]  Alex Jadad,et al.  The Internet and evidence-based decision-making: a needed synergy for efficient knowledge management in health care , 2000, CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne.

[26]  R Russo.  The application of knowledge management principles to compliant coding activities. , 2001, Topics in health information management.

[27]  David J. Skyrme,et al.  Knowledge Networking: Creating the Collaborative Enterprise , 1999 .

[28]  J. Brostoff,et al.  Efficacy of traditional Chinese herbal therapy in adult atopic dermatitis , 1992, The Lancet.

[29]  Elmer V. Bernstam,et al.  Evaluating the prevalence, content and readability of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) web pages on the internet , 2002, AMIA.

[30]  K. Wiig.  Knowledge management: Where did it come from and where will it go? , 1997 .