Chinese medicine needs a focus on practical training and integration with other disciplines to help improve Hong Kong’s healthcare

As Hong Kong anticipates the release of the Chinese medicine development blueprint in 2025, we have an opportunity to rethink how Chinese medicine can reshape our healthcare approach. With an ageing population and rising chronic illnesses, the preventive nature of Chinese medicine can contribute to better health outcomes and alleviate the burdens on our healthcare resources.

To maximise the impact of Chinese medicine, three critical areas deserve our focus. First, we should refine licensing examination standards to elevate the clinical competence of Chinese medicine practitioners, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills to meet evolving healthcare challenges.

Second, Hong Kong should establish a more defined role for Chinese medicine within the primary healthcare system, easing collaboration with the other healthcare disciplines. Third, the city should provide specialist training through Chinese medicine hospitals to develop practitioners’ advanced clinical competencies.

The 2022 Primary Healthcare Blueprint recognised the potential of Chinese medicine in primary care, envisioning a collaborative approach with other healthcare professionals to shift the focus of healthcare from not only treating disease but also preventing them. Therefore, enhancing the professional standards and reputation of Chinese medicine practitioners must be a cornerstone of the blueprint.

Heavily focused on theoretical knowledge, the current licensing exam for practitioners fails to adequately assess their clinical competence. Practitioners have noted that while graduates have a strong theoretical understanding, they often face challenges in applying knowledge to areas like prescription and acupuncture techniques.

To address this issue, the newly established Chinese medicine development blueprint subcommittee, which includes representatives from the three Chinese medicine schools in Hong Kong, should consider adapting mainland China’s examination model. In this system, students must pass practical skills assessments, encompassing diagnostics and treatment, before attempting the theoretical knowledge test. This approach ensures basic clinical proficiency.

Additionally, Taiwan’s model of incorporating Chinese medicine into the island’s undergraduate curriculum offers a valuable reference. The method in Taiwan mirrors mainstream medical school assessments, including simulated clinical interactions to enhance assessment skills.

Beyond improving the licensing exam, we should also clarify and enhance the role of Chinese medicine in primary healthcare services. A clearly defined role not only fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, it also encourages the development of targeted training programmes.

The newly established Primary Healthcare Commission can play a pivotal role in promoting Chinese medicine’s integration into the healthcare system. By collaborating with various training institutions, the commission can develop and implement a robust primary healthcare training framework for practitioners. This would enable more institutions to offer comprehensive training in primary care.

Mainland China’s primary care training model, which includes areas such as health education, general medical services and resident health management, serves as a valuable reference.

By adopting similar training approaches, practitioners in Hong Kong can gain real-world experience and acquire the professional knowledge and practical skills essential for effective primary healthcare delivery. This would empower practitioners to take on a greater role in preventive care, aligning with the principle of “treating before illness” and contributing to better health outcomes.

Embedding Chinese medicine more deeply into primary healthcare would encourage greater collaboration between practitioners and other healthcare professionals, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to health management. This could lead to the development of holistic treatment plans that draw from strengths of different healthcare professionals, ultimately benefiting patient care.

To further improve Chinese medicine training, there is a need for specialised training. To enhance overall quality and confidence in Chinese medicine services, the government should consider expanding access to specialised training for practitioners not working at Chinese medicine hospitals. Programmes could include clinical internships, mentorships and discussions about how best to provide care.

Furthermore, collaboration with recognised providers in the continuing medical education programme and local universities to jointly develop curriculum standards can help standardise Chinese medicine education. This would not only modernise Chinese medicine practices but also promote collaboration within the healthcare system, eventually benefiting patient care.

The Chinese medicine development blueprint presents an opportunity to enhance assessment and training systems. By focusing on these key areas, Hong Kong can nurture Chinese medicine professionals capable of meeting the current healthcare system’s demands. This, in turn, can enhance public confidence and promote the seamless integration of Chinese medicine into the healthcare system.