Table 2 Contextual information about T&CM

1. T&CM often has different regulation than biomedicine because the interventions are considered relatively safe and/or there is a historical precedence of use spanning hundreds, if not thousands of years [29].

2. Clinical guidelines are often uninformative regarding the use of T&CM; and are lacking in transparency and consistency [14–16].

3. In instances of insufficient scientific evidence, information about clinical indications and safety; patient demand and preferences; or equity and costs may still be available [29].

4. The outcomes that users seek from T&CM do not always align with the outcomes evaluated in clinical trials [30].

5. The ongoing demand for T&CM suggests that factors other than scientific evidence are important and influence the decision making process of patients and practitioners [31].