"Taking the Pulse of Transformation: Elevating Chinese Medicine Through Health Literacy" Press Conference
"Taking the Pulse of Transformation: Elevating Chinese Medicine Through Health Literacy" Press Conference
Our Hong Kong Foundation launches a policy research report, titled Taking the Pulse of Transformation: Elevating Chinese Medicine Through Health Literacy. Funded by the Chinese Medicine Development Fund and developed in collaboration with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, OHKF has successfully developed Hong Kong’s first Chinese Medicine Health Literacy (CMHL) Scale and recommends comprehensive measures to enhance CMHL among the public and healthcare professionals across 4 key areas: policy engagement and evaluation, service delivery, professional training, and public education and promotion.
The survey, conducted using the CMHL Scale with 800 citizens, revealed a moderate overall CMHL level of 69.8 out of 100 (see Figure 1). Respondents demonstrated deep understanding of Chinese Medicine (CM)-incorporated lifestyle and service regulations, but showed significant room for improvement in the fundamental concepts and treatment-related knowledge. The research showed that more than 85% of respondents were able to apply CM health advice, such as environmental or dietary adjustments, to improve their physical condition. Meanwhile, 40% found it difficult to distinguish proprietary Chinese medicines from health supplements, about one-third were uncertain about obtaining a legally valid sick leave certificate issued by a CM practitioner, and more than one-quarter were unaware of the option to provide feedback or file complaints regarding CM consultation services.
Our Hong Kong Foundation has released its latest policy advocacy report, titled “Taking the Pulse of Transformation: Elevating Chinese Medicine Through Health Literacy”. With the opening of the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and the unveiling of the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint, Hong Kong now possesses flagship facilities and a comprehensive strategic framework for advancing Chinese medicine. To elevate its development to new heights, the key lies in comprehensively enhancing Chinese medicine health literacy among citizens and healthcare professionals.
By promoting such literacy, citizens can integrate the principle of “preventive treatment” into daily life, while healthcare professionals equipped with foundational Chinese medicine knowledge can more effectively drive interprofessional collaboration. The report commends the Blueprint’s direction and, drawing on stakeholder interviews and other successful cases, proposes recommendations across four key areas: policy engagement and evaluation, service delivery, professional training, and public education and promotion. These suggestions aim to better integrate Chinese medicine into the healthcare system and everyday life, advancing Hong Kong toward a sustainable healthy society.
The report will delve into the following key questions:
- How can policy participation and evaluation mechanisms be strengthened to provide data-driven support and greater precision for Chinese medicine development?
- How to utilise citizen-centred needs to deepen interprofessional collaboration and enhance the role of Chinese medicine?
- How can training for healthcare professionals be optimised to build mutual trust, promoting collaboration and patient safety?
- How can community promotion and school education be strengthened to ensure wider transmission and application of Chinese medicine culture?
Our Hong Kong Foundation launches a policy research report, titled Taking the Pulse of Transformation: Elevating Chinese Medicine Through Health Literacy. Funded by the Chinese Medicine Development Fund and developed in collaboration with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, OHKF has successfully developed Hong Kong’s first Chinese Medicine Health Literacy (CMHL) Scale and recommends comprehensive measures to enhance CMHL among the public and healthcare professionals across 4 key areas: policy engagement and evaluation, service delivery, professional training, and public education and promotion.
The survey, conducted using the CMHL Scale with 800 citizens, revealed a moderate overall CMHL level of 69.8 out of 100 (see Figure 1). Respondents demonstrated deep understanding of Chinese Medicine (CM)-incorporated lifestyle and service regulations, but showed significant room for improvement in the fundamental concepts and treatment-related knowledge. The research showed that more than 85% of respondents were able to apply CM health advice, such as environmental or dietary adjustments, to improve their physical condition. Meanwhile, 40% found it difficult to distinguish proprietary Chinese medicines from health supplements, about one-third were uncertain about obtaining a legally valid sick leave certificate issued by a CM practitioner, and more than one-quarter were unaware of the option to provide feedback or file complaints regarding CM consultation services.
Our Hong Kong Foundation has released its latest policy advocacy report, titled “Taking the Pulse of Transformation: Elevating Chinese Medicine Through Health Literacy”. With the opening of the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and the unveiling of the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint, Hong Kong now possesses flagship facilities and a comprehensive strategic framework for advancing Chinese medicine. To elevate its development to new heights, the key lies in comprehensively enhancing Chinese medicine health literacy among citizens and healthcare professionals.
By promoting such literacy, citizens can integrate the principle of “preventive treatment” into daily life, while healthcare professionals equipped with foundational Chinese medicine knowledge can more effectively drive interprofessional collaboration. The report commends the Blueprint’s direction and, drawing on stakeholder interviews and other successful cases, proposes recommendations across four key areas: policy engagement and evaluation, service delivery, professional training, and public education and promotion. These suggestions aim to better integrate Chinese medicine into the healthcare system and everyday life, advancing Hong Kong toward a sustainable healthy society.
The report will delve into the following key questions:
- How can policy participation and evaluation mechanisms be strengthened to provide data-driven support and greater precision for Chinese medicine development?
- How to utilise citizen-centred needs to deepen interprofessional collaboration and enhance the role of Chinese medicine?
- How can training for healthcare professionals be optimised to build mutual trust, promoting collaboration and patient safety?
- How can community promotion and school education be strengthened to ensure wider transmission and application of Chinese medicine culture?
