International Statistical Classification of Diseases and data gaps in traditional medicine
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World Health Organization
Abstract
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3 p.
The widespread use of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine, coupled with its limited visibility in routine health data systems, poses challenges for evidence-informed policy-making, safety monitoring and health system integration. This perspective article examines how the 11th Revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11), particularly its supplementary Chapter 26, addresses these gaps by enabling standardized dual coding of traditional medicine disorders and patterns alongside biomedical diagnoses. It describes the evolution and scope of this classification framework and analyses persistent shortcomings in data capture, terminology harmonization and research comparability across countries and health systems. The article highlights the potential of Chapter 26 to support real-world data generation, interoperability and integration into surveillance, reimbursement and quality monitoring systems. It also identifies limitations related to optional implementation, variability in coding practices, policy dependencies and unresolved issues of validity and interoperability. A forward-looking research and policy agenda is outlined, emphasizing the need for coordinated adoption, capacity-building, validation studies and systematic linkage to outcomes, costs and safety data. Strengthening these elements is essential for improving measurement, regulation and equitable integration of traditional medicine within diverse health systems.
744
746
The widespread use of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine, coupled with its limited visibility in routine health data systems, poses challenges for evidence-informed policy-making, safety monitoring and health system integration. This perspective article examines how the 11th Revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11), particularly its supplementary Chapter 26, addresses these gaps by enabling standardized dual coding of traditional medicine disorders and patterns alongside biomedical diagnoses. It describes the evolution and scope of this classification framework and analyses persistent shortcomings in data capture, terminology harmonization and research comparability across countries and health systems. The article highlights the potential of Chapter 26 to support real-world data generation, interoperability and integration into surveillance, reimbursement and quality monitoring systems. It also identifies limitations related to optional implementation, variability in coding practices, policy dependencies and unresolved issues of validity and interoperability. A forward-looking research and policy agenda is outlined, emphasizing the need for coordinated adoption, capacity-building, validation studies and systematic linkage to outcomes, costs and safety data. Strengthening these elements is essential for improving measurement, regulation and equitable integration of traditional medicine within diverse health systems.
744
746