marks for training in traditional Chinese medicine deally, countries would blend traditional and conventional ways of providing care in ways that make the most of the best features of each system and allow each to compensate for weaknesses in the other. Therefore, the 2009 WHO resolution(WHA62. 13)on traditional medicine further urged Member States consider, where appropriate, inclusion of traditional medicine in their national health systems. How this takes place would depend on national capace of priorities, legislation and circumstances. It would have to consider evidence of safety, efficacy and quality Resolution WHA62 13 also urged Member States to consider, where appropriate, establishing systems for the qualification, accreditation or licensing of practitioners of traditional medicine. It urged Member States to assist practitioners in upgrading their knowledge and skills in collaboration with relevant providers of conventional care. The present series of benchmarks for basic training for selected types of TM/CAM care is part of the implementation of the WHO resolution. It concerns forms of TM/CAM that enjoy increasing popularity(Ayurveda, naturopathy, Nuad Thai, osteopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, Tuina, and Unani medicine These benchmarks reflect what the community of practitioners in each of these disciplines considers to be reasonable practice in training professionals to practice the respective discipline, considering consumer protection and patient safety as core to professional practice. They provide a reference point to which actual practice can be compared and evaluated. The series of seven documents is intended to: support countries to establish systems for the qualification, accreditation or licensing of practitioners of traditional medicine assist practitioners in upgrading their knowledge and skills in collaboration with providers of conventional care allow better communication between providers of conventional and traditional care as well as other health professionals, medical students and relevant researchers through appropriate training programmes; support integration of traditional medicine into the national health svste The documents describe models of training for trainees with different backgrounds. They list contraindications identified by the community of practitioners, so as to promote safe practice and minimize the risk of accidents Drafting and Consultation Process The most elaborated material to establish benchmarks comes from the countries where the various forms of traditional medicine under consideration originated These countries have established formal education or national requirements for licensure or qualified practice. Any relevant benchmarks must refer to these national standards and requirements The first stage of drafting of this series of documents was delegated to the national authorities in the countries of origin of each of the respective forms of traditional, complementary or alternative medicine discussed. These drafts were then, in a second stage, distributed to more than 300 reviewers in more than 140 countries. These reviewers included experts and national health authorities
Benchmarks for training in traditional Chinese medicine x Ideally, countries would blend traditional and conventional ways of providing care in ways that make the most of the best features of each system and allow each to compensate for weaknesses in the other. Therefore, the 2009 WHO resolution (WHA62.13) on traditional medicine further urged Member States to consider, where appropriate, inclusion of traditional medicine in their national health systems. How this takes place would depend on national capacities, priorities, legislation and circumstances. It would have to consider evidence of safety, efficacy and quality. Resolution WHA62.13 also urged Member States to consider, where appropriate, establishing systems for the qualification, accreditation or licensing of practitioners of traditional medicine. It urged Member States to assist practitioners in upgrading their knowledge and skills in collaboration with relevant providers of conventional care. The present series of benchmarks for basic training for selected types of TM/CAM care is part of the implementation of the WHO resolution. It concerns forms of TM/CAM that enjoy increasing popularity (Ayurveda, naturopathy, Nuad Thai, osteopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, Tuina, and Unani medicine) These benchmarks reflect what the community of practitioners in each of these disciplines considers to be reasonable practice in training professionals to practice the respective discipline, considering consumer protection and patient safety as core to professional practice. They provide a reference point to which actual practice can be compared and evaluated. The series of seven documents is intended to: • support countries to establish systems for the qualification, accreditation or licensing of practitioners of traditional medicine; • assist practitioners in upgrading their knowledge and skills in collaboration with providers of conventional care; • allow better communication between providers of conventional and traditional care as well as other health professionals, medical students and relevant researchers through appropriate training programmes; • support integration of traditional medicine into the national health system. The documents describe models of training for trainees with different backgrounds. They list contraindications identified by the community of practitioners, so as to promote safe practice and minimize the risk of accidents. Drafting and Consultation Process The most elaborated material to establish benchmarks comes from the countries where the various forms of traditional medicine under consideration originated. These countries have established formal education or national requirements for licensure or qualified practice. Any relevant benchmarks must refer to these national standards and requirements. The first stage of drafting of this series of documents was delegated to the national authorities in the countries of origin of each of the respective forms of traditional, complementary or alternative medicine discussed. These drafts were then, in a second stage, distributed to more than 300 reviewers in more than 140 countries. These reviewers included experts and national health authorities
Pref WHO collaborating centres for traditional medicine, and relevant international and regional professional nongovernmental organizations. The documents were then revised based on the comments and suggestions received. Finally, WHO organized consultations for further final review, prior to editing Dr Xiaorui Zhang Coordinator, Traditional Medicine Department for Health System Governance and Service Delivery World Health Ors
Preface xi WHO collaborating centres for traditional medicine, and relevant international and regional professional nongovernmental organizations. The documents were then revised based on the comments and suggestions received. Finally, WHO organized consultations for further final review, prior to editing. Dr Xiaorui Zhang Coordinator, Traditional Medicine Department for Health System Governance and Service Delivery World Health Organization
enchmarks for training in traditional Chinese medicine
Benchmarks for training in traditional Chinese medicine xii
Introduction Introduction Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has been in use in China for over two thousand years. It has its own unique theories for treating disease and to enhance health. There are many modalities included in TCM, such as Chinese herbal medicine, moxibustion, acupuncture, or Tuina. TCM uses traditional Chinese medicines; these include herbs, herbal materials, herbal preparate finished herbal products which have been documented in classical and modern literature on TCM. These Chinese Materia Medica may contain non-plant substances, such as animal and mineral materials Treatment with TCM involves practitioners who may be called TCM practitioner, TCM doctor, TCM therapist or TCM physician. There are also other categories of professionals: distributors and dispensers for whom training is relevant to the safety and quality of the materials used in TCM medicines Traditional Chinese medicine is used widely and increasingly practiced outside China(1-3). However, many countries have not yet developed specific training or established legislation to regulate its practice. In countries where no regulatory framework currently exists, there may be no educational, professional or legal framework governing the practice. Moreover, with the rapid growth in demand for TCM, other types of health-care professionals may wish to gain additional qualifications in order to practice TCM. This document presents what the community of TCM practitioners, experts and regulators considers to be adequate levels and models for training TCM practitioners, as well as for dispensers and distributors. It provides training benchmarks for trainees with different backgrounds, as well as what the community of tCM practitioners considers to be contraindications for safe practice of TCM and for minimizing the risk of accidents. Together, these can serve as a reference for national authorities wishing to establish systems of training, examination and licensure that support the qualified practice of TCM Benchmarks for training in acupuncture and Tuina are published separately
Introduction 1 Introduction Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been in use in China for over two thousand years. It has its own unique theories for treating disease and to enhance health. There are many modalities included in TCM, such as Chinese herbal medicine, moxibustion, acupuncture, or Tuina.1 TCM uses traditional Chinese medicines; these include herbs, herbal materials, herbal preparations and finished herbal products which have been documented in classical and modern literature on TCM. These Chinese Materia Medica may contain non-plant substances, such as animal and mineral materials. Treatment with TCM involves practitioners who may be called TCM practitioner, TCM doctor, TCM therapist or TCM physician. There are also other categories of professionals: distributors and dispensers for whom training is relevant to the safety and quality of the materials used in TCM medicines. Traditional Chinese medicine is used widely and increasingly practiced outside China (1-3). However, many countries have not yet developed specific training or established legislation to regulate its practice. In countries where no regulatory framework currently exists, there may be no educational, professional or legal framework governing the practice. Moreover, with the rapid growth in demand for TCM, other types of health-care professionals may wish to gain additional qualifications in order to practice TCM. This document presents what the community of TCM practitioners, experts and regulators considers to be adequate levels and models for training TCM practitioners, as well as for dispensers and distributors. It provides training benchmarks for trainees with different backgrounds, as well as what the community of TCM practitioners considers to be contraindications for safe practice of TCM and for minimizing the risk of accidents. Together, these can serve as a reference for national authorities wishing to establish systems of training, examination and licensure that support the qualified practice of TCM. 1 Benchmarks for training in acupuncture and Tuina are published separately
enchmarks for training in traditional Chinese medicine
Benchmarks for training in traditional Chinese medicine 2