2018 Volume 67 Issue 5 Pages 471-479
Purpose: To outline the background and development of Oriental medicine classification into ICD-11, and to explain its significance, tasks, and future prospects.
Development of traditional medical classification: The development of traditional medical classification at WHO was initiated as part of standardization headguarters projects of traditional medicine by the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO). In 2009, WHO headquarters held a conference in Hong Kong, inviting representatives of traditional medicine from around the world. Subsequently WHO started the development of traditional medicine classification for ICD revision. In 2013 a beta version was completed and peer reviewed by 142 experts in 22 countries. After the field test, ICD-11 was released in June 2018, and traditional medicine classification was positioned as chapter 26 of ICD-11.
Significance of the traditional medical classification in ICD-11: In the history of ICD since 1900, this is the first time that traditional medicine has been incorporated. Former Director General Margaret Chan of WHO emphasized that this is a historical event in ICD history.
On the other hand, lagging behind Western medicine classification by 118 years, the diagnosis system of traditional medicine is internationalized. This does not mean that WHO endorsed the effectiveness or safety of traditional medicine. It is only an international tool for the future validation of effectiveness and the safety. Therefore, using this chapter on traditional medicine is required to take health informatics data from now.
Future prospects of traditional medicine classification: Development of the chapter on traditional medicine was accomplished by an international team. It will be shifted to the phase of maintenance and implementation. In addition, interventions such as acupuncture and moxibustion are planned to be within ICHI. The Traditional Medicine Reference Group (TMRG) was established in WHO-FIC in 2018. Oriental medicine is actively employed all over the world. In the future, health statistics, education, and clinical research using the ICD traditional medicine chapter are required to spread to all countries where oriental medicine is employed.
Conclusion: The traditional medicine classification chapter was incorporated in ICD for the first time in the history of ICD since 1900. The international foundation of traditional medicine statistics is ready, and by utilizing this, the implementation of health statistics, education and research are expected to be promoted.
