An exploratory study of communication training for Chinese medicine practitioners in Hong Kong to integrate patients’ conventional medical history

Abstract

Background Despite Traditional Chinese medicine’s (TCM) historical roles in Chinese society, few research has been investigated the nature of TCM practitioner–patient interactions. Improved communication skills among TCM practitioners will result higher-quality interactions and better clinical outcomes. Methods To investigate the changes in TCM practitioners’ communication practices after communications training focused on promoting their awareness of integrating a patient’s medical history from conventional medicine in TCM treatment, Eight registered Cantonese-speaking TCM practitioners in Hong Kong were randomly recruited from local clinics and randomised into control (n = 12) and experimental groups (n = 12), with a total of 24 consultations. The experimental group was given training focused on patient-centred communication, with an internationally recognised and communication framework validated in global consultation settings (i.e. the Calgary-Cambridge Guide) on how to take a patient’s medical history from conventional medicine and communicate diagnosis and treatment plans. Consultations before and after training were audio-recorded and rated. The efficacy of the training was evaluated by comparing the two groups before training (pre-test), immediately after training (post-test) and after a 3-month delay (delayed post-test). Using validated scales, the primary outcomes were measured for the practitioners’ clinical communication skills and the quality of interactions. Results The communication training significantly improved the TCM providers’ patient-centred communication and communication proficiency. The results indicate that the team developed an effective communication model for integrating TCM and conventional medicine in Hong Kong. The framework helps trained TCM practitioners to integrate their patients’ conventional medical history when delivering patient care. The findings shed light on how interpersonal relationships between TCM practitioners and patients can be constructed after communication training to better care for patients’ psychological concerns in addition to their physical needs. Conclusion Trained TCM practitioners can provide an integrated model that takes patients’ conventional medical history into account when delivering a holistic patient-centred care. The findings can enhance our understanding of better ways to train the future TCM practitioners and to develop a continuing professional training for the current TCM practitioners to expand our understanding of TCM communication in acute clinical contexts and, thus offer a firm evidence-based foundation upon which to develop communication strategies that improve their clinical cpractices.

Perceptions, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices Toward Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapies for Herpes Zoster: A Cross-Sectional Study of Healthcare Professionals

“…Additionally, many of the respondents felt that HZ patients had a harder time understanding a TCM doctor’s remarks than a WM doctor, which may be at odds with earlier results. 51 It has been shown that TCM practitioners have better communication skills than their Western counterparts, which positively impacts their interactions with patients. 51 Effective medical communication can impact treatment adherence, satisfaction, and pain management outcomes.…”

“… 51 It has been shown that TCM practitioners have better communication skills than their Western counterparts, which positively impacts their interactions with patients. 51 Effective medical communication can impact treatment adherence, satisfaction, and pain management outcomes. 52 In China, HCPs are mainly trained to communicate direct medical information rather than address patients’ emotional needs.…”