Current Issue

Biomedical knowledge acquisition in Traditional Chinese Medicine Education

Abstract

In this research project, data was gathered from three separate surveys for 2nd-year acupuncture students, 3rd and 4th-year acupuncture students, and acupuncture graduates. Participants were surveyed on their perceptions of how biomedicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) subjects are integrated into acupuncture/TCM degree courses. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data; this information may contribute to how TCM schools can improve their performance in educating TCM practitioners of the future and how practitioners can integrate biomedicine into their practice. Results suggest that the TCM/acupuncture profession is predominantly middle-aged females with English as a second language. The only tertiary TCM institutions accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority are in Auckland, and most practices are in Auckland.