Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41606560›Full record

SynthesisBMC health services research2026

Utilization of traditional Chinese medicine services and associated factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Jie Ren, Xiaonan Zhou, Yaozong Zheng, Xiaochang Ma, Bin Lin, Lining Yang

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC health services research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Jie Ren *School of Public Health and Management, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Xiaonan Zhou *School of Public Health and Management, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Yaozong Zheng *First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Xiaochang MaXiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Bin LinSchool of Public Health and Management, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China. linbin@gzucm.edu.cn.
Lining YangSecond Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China. 786686304@qq.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAs global demand for healthcare rises and recognition of traditional medicine grows, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is receiving increasing international attention. Analyzing the utilization of TCM services and the factors influencing their use is essential for optimizing the service system, improving service quality, and supporting the preservation and development of TCM.

methodsA systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM databases. Studies published between January 1, 2015, and January 15, 2025, addressing the utilization of TCM services and their influencing factors were included. NoteExpress software was used for literature management. Literature quality was assessed using the Joana Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist for cross-sectional studies. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel software. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata software, and pooled utilization was estimated using random effects models.

resultsA total of 33 studies comprising 41,103 participants were included. The exploratory pooled utilization rate of TCM services was 41% (95% CI: 32%-52%, I

conclusionThe utilization of TCM services remains limited. Targeted dissemination is recommended to enhance public knowledge and awareness of TCM. Policymakers should prioritize optimizing resource allocation and improving service accessibility.

Indexed as

Medicine, Chinese TraditionalPatient Acceptance of Health CareHumansInfluencing factorsMedical servicesMeta-analysisTCMTraditional Chinese medicineUtilization

Identifiers

PMID41606560
PMCPMC12924379

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.