The Ethics of Informed Consent in Traditional Chinese Medicine Practice and Research: A Narrative Literature Review

Background: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a complementary/non-conventional therapy, is increasingly being integrated into modern healthcare systems. However, its practice and re-search raise ethical challenges, particularly concerning Informed Consent (IC), an essential ele-ment for ensuring patient autonomy, transparency, and protection.
Objective: This study aimed to conduct a Narrative Literature Review to identify the use of IC in clinical practice and research within TCM, highlighting its necessity and importance for protect-ing patient rights and promoting the adoption of ethical standards (including respect for au-tonomy, cultural sensitivity, trust, safety, and risk management).
Informed Consent in TCM: IC is a fundamental ethical and legal requirement, defined as a vol-untary process where an individual agrees to a procedure or treatment after fully understanding the risks, benefits, alternatives, and potential outcomes (disclosure, comprehension, and volun-tariness). TCM, as a non-conventional therapy, is subject to legal frameworks requiring patient choice and informed consent for all professional acts. IC is especially critical in TCM to ensure clear, culturally adequate communication regarding holistic concepts like Qi and Yin/Yang.
Conclusion and Recommendations: The review confirms that IC is a central ethical and legal prerequisite for TCM. Despite being widely recognised, the study suggests that its practical ap-plication often lacks quality and transparency, sometimes being treated informally. To address this, IC must evolve from a mere formality into an essential communicative process. Therefore, investing in specific ethical training for TCM professionals and the standardisation of patient information materials is strongly recommended to strengthen the clinical and social legitimacy of these practices.