Navigating uncertainty in evidence-informed decision-making for traditional, complementary and integrative medicine: An updated critical interpretive review

Oct 5, 2026

Evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) poses distinct challenges for traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM). This updated critical interpretive review examines how widely endorsed consensus statements on guideline development and policy briefs, together with TCIM-specific recommendations, can address these challenges. The review synthesizes findings using critical interpretive synthesis and rapid review methods, searching major databases and iteratively analyzing themes. Results synthesize 167 publications and highlight transparency, contextual problem framing, diverse evidence under uncertainty, and centering equity across EIDM processes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Review methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

Please do not remove this page Navigating uncertainty in evidence-informed decision-making for traditional, complementary and integrative medicine: An updated critical interpretive review Hunter, Jennifer; Leach, Matthew; Chang, Dennis; Lee, Myeong Soo; et al. [https://researchportal.scu.edu.au/esploro/outputs/journalArticle/Navigating-uncertainty-in-evidence-informed-decision-making-for/991013309824902](https://researchportal.scu.edu.au/esploro/outputs/journalArticle/Navigating-uncertainty-in-evidence-informed-decision-making-for/991013309824902)[ ](https://researchportal.scu.edu.au/esploro/outputs/journalArticle/Navigating-uncertainty-in-evidence-informed-decision-making-for/991013309824902)368/filesAndLinks?index=0 Hunter, J., Leach, M., Chang, D., Lee, M. S., Fei, Y., & Liu, J. (2026) . Navigating uncertainty in evidence-informed decision-making for traditional, complementary and integrative medicine: An updated critical interpretive review. Integrative Medicine Research, 15(1), Article 101231. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imr.2025.101231](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imr.2025.101231) [Document Version: Published](Document Version: Published) (Version of record) Published Version: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imr.2025.101231](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imr.2025.101231) Southern Cross University Cross Connect: [https://researchportal.scu.edu.au/esploro/](https://researchportal.scu.edu.au/esploro/)[ ](https://researchportal.scu.edu.au/esploro/)[crossconnect@scu.edu.au](crossconnect@scu.edu.au) [CC BY-NC-ND V4.0](CC BY-NC-ND V4.0)[ ](CC BY-NC-ND V4.0)Research:Open © 2026 Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine. Downloaded On 2026/10/05 12:08:21 +1100 Please do not remove this page Integrative Medicine Research 15 (2026) 101231 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Integrative Medicine Research journal [homepage:](homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/imr)[ www.elsevier.com/locate/imr](homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/imr) | Review Article
Navigating uncertainty in evidence-informed decision-making for traditional, complementary and integrative medicine: An updated critical interpretive review | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Jennifer Hunter a,b,* , Matthew Leach c , Dennis Chang d , Myeong Soo Lee e , Yutong Feif, Jianping Liu f
a Health Research Group, Sydney, Australia
b Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia c Health & Community Services, TAFE SA, Adelaide, Australia
d NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
e KM Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea f Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China | | | | | A R T I C L E I N F O | | A B S T R A C T | | | Keywords:
Traditional medicine Complementary Therapies Guidelines
Policy Brief
Decision Making Evidence-Based Medicine | | Background: Evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) presents unique challenges for traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM). To aid decision-making, a critical interpretive review was updated to examine how internationally and nationally endorsed consensus statements on guideline development and policy briefs, along with TCIM-specific recommendations may address these challenges.
Methods: The review drew on critical interpretive synthesis and rapid review methods. PubMed, CINAHL and AIMED were searched on 19 January 2024. Single reviewers conducted the screening and extracted descriptive data. Analysis began deductively from the original review themes and developed iteratively.
Results: Included were 167 publications. Over the past decade, evidence-to-decision (EtD) frameworks have considered a broader range of modifying factors (e.g., importance of the problem, stakeholder preferences, feasibility, costs, health equity, human rights, social impacts) that may warrant making a stronger recommendation

FAQs

What challenge does evidence-informed decision-making face in TCIM contexts?

EIDM presents unique challenges for TCIM, with evidence uncertainty contributing to gaps between TCIM research and guideline or policy inclusion.

How was the review conducted in this updated critical interpretive synthesis?

The review used critical interpretive synthesis and rapid review methods, searching PubMed, CINAHL, and AIMED on 19 January 2024 and iterating analysis from original themes.

What themes were emphasized across the EIDM process for TCIM?

Four interrelated themes were identified: transparent and inclusive decision-making, sensitive scope and framing to TCIM contexts, using diverse evidence within EtD frameworks under uncertainty, and centering equity throughout EIDM.

Oct 5, 2026

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