Strategies to enhance computer assisted differential diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Coronary Heart Disease: Validity and standardisation of a diagnostic instrument

Multiple areas of information technology are endeavouring to advance differential syndrome diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). To maximise the efficacy of combining techniques, ascertaining valid and standardised TCM diagnostics fields is a necessary preliminary stage. Aims: To develop a valid, standardised diagnostic instrument (an expert questionnaire) in differential syndrome diagnosis of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) selected as a case study. Methods: Instrument construction and psychometric testing methods were employed. Results: Literature scrutinisation identified 201 syndromes for CHD. Theory-driven analysis resulted in 14 consistent syndromes with 193 indications which formed the content of the instrument. Preliminary quantitive analysis through Content Validity Testing (CVT) confirmed 11 syndromes and 107 indications were consistent with CHD evaluation in literarure and practice. Conclusion: Psychometric testing methods may be adopted as a strategy to ensure data sets employed in computational assistance techniques are valid, standardised while efficacy is not compromised throughout the integration process.