FAQs

TMGL Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Guidance and key information about the Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL)

1. What is the Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL)?

   The Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL) is an advanced and collaborative digital platform dedicated to preserving, documenting, and disseminating knowledge on traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine. TMGL offers a wide range of resources, including scientific research, policy documents, case studies, and multimedia content, to support researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and the general public in understanding and utilizing traditional medicine.

2. How does TMGL contribute to global health?

   TMGL contributes to global health by providing a comprehensive, accessible collection of evidence and information on traditional medicine. It promotes the integration of traditional knowledge with conventional healthcare, facilitates collaborative research, and supports policy development to enhance healthcare systems worldwide.

3. What types of content are available in TMGL?

   TMGL offers a variety of content, including peer-reviewed journal articles, policy documents, case studies, multimedia resources, and evidence maps. It also features dedicated repositories for non-conventional information such as theses, cultural heritage records, and Indigenous knowledge.

4. What is the purpose of the TMGL Vault?

   The TMGL Vault is a secure digital repository designed to support countries in implementing defensive IP protection strategies for traditional knowledge. The Vault enables secure deposits of health-related traditional knowledge by IPLCs, using blockchain technology and encryption to protect intellectual property rights and ensure fair compensation for traditional knowledge holders.

5. How does TMGL support the documentation and protection of traditional knowledge?
   

   TMGL supports the documentation and defensive protection of traditional knowledge through platforms like the TMGL Vault, which ensures secure and ethical recording of traditional medicine. TMGL also promotes the intellectual property rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) and collaborates with countries to help them safeguard traditional knowledge.

6. What is the role of TMGL in research and evidence on traditional medicine?
   

   TMGL acts as a hub for research and evidence on traditional medicine, offering evidence maps, systematic reviews, and curated studies to help users make informed decisions. By promoting collaborative knowledge inquiry between researchers and traditional practitioners, TMGL ensures that both traditional and scientific perspectives are integrated.

7. How does TMGL ensure the equitable access to traditional medicine knowledge?
   

   TMGL is committed to promoting equitable access by offering open-access resources whenever possible and using advanced digital tools to ensure that knowledge from diverse traditional systems is preserved and shared. TMGL’s platforms are designed to make traditional medicine information accessible to both practitioners and the general public.

8. What is the role of TMGL in digital health innovation?
   

   TMGL leverages digital health innovations like blockchain, telemedicine, and AI-driven tools to support the integration of traditional medicine into healthcare systems. These technologies help document, protect, and share traditional knowledge while ensuring security and intellectual property protection.

9. How does TMGL engage with policymakers and healthcare leaders?
   

   TMGL provides a platform for policy development by offering access to case studies, best practices, and policy frameworks related to traditional medicine. It supports collaborative efforts to create inclusive health policies that integrate traditional medicine into national and global healthcare strategies

10. What is the TM Research Analytics?

    TM Research Analytics (beta) is an interactive dashboard developed by BIREME/PAHO/WHO to analyze, visualize, and interpret global and regional scientific production in Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM). It compiles and processes bibliographic records from the Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL), transforming them into meaningful insights through bibliometric analysis. The dashboard enables users to explore key indicators, such as publication trends, thematic focus, study types, and regional distribution, across 13 core metrics, offering a comprehensive view of TCIM research worldwide and supporting evidence-informed decision-making.