Need to make TCM more effective, and acceptable to youths
TCM and Western medicine have different medical theories, with the former appearing complicated to most of the patients. As such, more studies should be conducted to make the theories easier to understand to make it acceptable to the people, especially the younger generations and foreigners.
When I visited my community clinic recently for some medicines, I saw a new face in the consultation room. “Yes, traditional Chinese medicine has been added to our service and I am here to help you,” the new face welcomed me. Together with her assistants, the TCM practitioner not only prescribes medicines but also offers acupuncture and massage services, which the elderly patients seem to welcome.
The newly added service is part of the central government’s efforts to help develop TCM. According to a recent document, preferential policies will be issued to support the development of TCM, and all hospitals and township clinics will offer TCM services by the end of 2025.
Whenever the government has taken supportive measures to help a sector, we know that the sector is new but strategically important but facing trouble. TCM apparently belongs to the latter category.
Since its introduction in China in the early 20th century, Western medicine has gained ground at the cost of TCM, whose history is as long as that of China. In fact, by the end of 2020, only about 7 percent of the more than 1 million medical institutions in China were still providing TCM services.
Since the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949, governments at all levels have been making efforts to help develop TCM－in fact, TCM development has been written into the country’s Constitution. And dozens of TCM colleges and universities, and hundreds of TCM hospitals have been established.
But the results of these efforts have not been satisfactory. While many Western medicine hospitals are crowded, TCM hospitals, with a few exceptions, are largely deserted. And while the Western medicine hospitals are expanding both in number and scale－the largest in China boasts of more than 10,000 beds－TCM hospitals, including the best ones in Beijing, are smaller both in number and scale. Worse, the younger generations seem to trust TCM less than Western medicine.
To ensure the new efforts to develop TCM do not end in vain, the status of TCM should be ascertained. And some experts have given the following proposals to improve the development of TCM:
First, TCM and Western medicine have different medical theories, with the former appearing complicated to most of the patients. As such, more studies should be conducted to make the theories easier to understand to make it acceptable to the people, especially the younger generations and foreigners.
Second, the training process for medical students should be adjusted to include the distinct characteristics of TCM, which lays stress on clinical follow-ups and use of ancient prescriptions, and the traditional master-apprentice arrangement should be followed because it is best suited to train a new generation of TCM masters.
Third, TCM doctors should receive education and training in such a way that they are able to diagnose diseases using traditional methods－looking at, listening to and questioning the patient, and feeling his or her pulse. I was once introduced to a TCM master, who, after looking at me and feeling my pulse for a few seconds, told me my health problems, some of which I had suffered two decades ago. How can one not trust such a doctor?
But if you consult a TCM practitioner for a mild cold or cough today, you will likely be asked to get a blood test, an X-ray and possibly other pathology tests done before being prescribed medicines.
No wonder many Chinese families have a box full of TCMs at home including liquids, tablets, pills, granules and herbs－all leftovers from the doses prescribed by TCM practitioners. That TCMs are made of herbs and have little side-effects encourages doctors to prescribe more than the necessary doses, which the patients have to buy from the hospital pharmacy, which helps the hospitals and doctors make added profits.
Each year, I have to sort my medicine box to dispose pounds of expired medicines which had cost me hundreds of yuan. While feeling guilty for the waste, I can’t help but ask: Is there anything wrong with TCM?
Original article by admin, if reproduced, please cite the source as: https://www.tcmha.com/understandingtcm/need-to-make-tcm-more-effective-and-acceptable-to-youths.html
相关推荐
-
The difference between Chinese medicine, Western medicine and nutrition, and why nutritional supplements are indispensable to us
What is the difference between Western medicine, Chinese medicine and health care products? Health is an eternal topic. Without health, everything is meaningless. Therefore, it is necessary to have a correct concept about health. The difference between Chinese medicine, Western medicine and nutritional supplements Chinese medicine focuses on conditioning, regulating the disease from the root of the disease, treating the root cause, but not supplementing nutrition. Western medicine focuses on control, controlling the symptoms of the disease, for example, hypertension patients, using antihypertensive drugs to bring down blood pressure, treating…
-
9 Signs of Poor Health – a Chinese Medicine Perspective
Have you recently experienced any of the following conditions? Waking up feeling tired, no matter how long you have slept. Overactive mind: unable to switch off at bedtime. Poor appetite in the morning and noon (skipping meals); cravings and overeating in late afternoons and evenings. Feeling bloated, fatigued, and with sugar craving after meals. Irregular and poorly formed bowel movement: feeling drained or still feel not empty after the job is done. Cold hands and feet – even in the summertime. Experiencing mood swings and not at peace with your…
-
What diseases see Chinese doctors and what diseases see Western doctors? At a glance, decisive collection!
Some people say Western medicine is good, some say Chinese medicine is strong. Professionals believe that Western and Chinese medicine have their own strengths for different diseases. ✦✦ There are some diseases that should be more focused on conditioning and one should not run to Western medicine. ✦✦There are some symptoms that are more suited to Western medicine, and then Western medicine should be chosen. We have compiled a table of recommended directions for different choices based on different symptoms Cardiovascular diseases: Western first, then ChineseFor example: hypertension, heart disease,…
-
[Health and Wellness] There is a trick to TCM wellness, comprehend and do these 6 words, it is important!
But health care is not as simple as pressing the acupuncture points and taking some tonic, Chinese medicine has six words of health care: Shun, quiet, repair, adjust, supplement, solid, really understand and do these points, a long and healthy life is not far from you.
-
Although Chinese medicine is good, do not just eat, you must know these taboos!
Here are a few taboos about the herbal medicine that people who want to use herbal medicine to cure their diseases and regulate their bodies should know about.
-
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Masters Among the People: Heritage and Expectations
Hence, when we say “TCM masters among the people,” it’s because those who truly grasp the essence of TCM are often found in our daily lives. With their knowledge and skills, they quietly bring health and hope to people.
-
A Simple Understanding of Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic system of health and healing that has evolved over thousands of years in China.
-
Lost and Hidden Treasures of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a precious cultural heritage with a rich history. However, over time, many TCM secrets and unique practices have slowly been lost.
-
Why do many TCM practitioners live into their 90s?
In fact, to judge a good or bad TCM practitioner, it is very clear to look at his thinking on healing in a few words. Chinese medicine has always emphasized that disease is not simply a virus or inflammation, but only a result and a symptom, and that disease is the cause behind these symptoms, such as pain and inflammation.
-
The Connotation and Origin of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
In summary, through countless trials and experiential accumulations, some exceptional individuals transmitted knowledge about medicines, treatment processes, and effective principles of diseases they observed to later generations, giving birth to TCM.
