TCM Traumatology

General Information
Duration 1 semester (14 teaching weeks)
Level Year 3, Semester 5
Unit Weighting Unit Credit Points: 10 credit points
Total Course Credit Points: 320 credit points
Student Workload Number of timetabled hours per week: 4
Number of personal study hours per week: 6
Total workload hours per week: 10
Prerequisites/ Corequisites ACU207 Channels & Points 2, and CHM 208 Chinese Herbal Medicine & Formulae 2
Academic Details
Description This unit of study introduces students to the theory and practice of Chinese internal medicine. The student will study the classification of diseases in TCM, their common etiology and pathogenesis, and the therapeutic methods applied in their treatment. Each disease is examined in the light of its syndrome differentiation; treatment principles and methods; appropriate formulae and modifications; the application of modalities (Chinese herbal medicine and/or acupuncture and/or tuina); TCM strengths and limitations, cautions and contraindications; relevant lifestyle advice including appreciation of Australia’s healthcare context and relevant multi-cultural/multi-racial issues that may affect treatment options, and conditions necessary for referral to peers or other medical and health professionals when appropriate. The diseases discussed include those that affect the heart, the lungs, the liver, the digestive system, the kidneys and other diseases that are commonly treated in TCM practice.

The importance of a commitment to appropriate reporting of adverse events and the implementation of appropriate first aid measures when a patient displays an adverse reaction to treatment, and ensure prompt transfer to medical services where necessary will be emphasised. The desire to achieve excellence in the practice of acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine and to contribute to improving both the quality of life of patients and the wellbeing of the community and the environment will be a key feature in the teaching and learning of this unit.

Learning outcomes Upon completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe and analyse the classifications of diseases in TCM internal medicine; Explain and evaluate the symptomatology, aetiology and pathogenesis of the main diseases in TCM internal medicine
  2. Describe the TCM approaches to the treatment of diseases including the principal guiding formulae, acupuncture, moxibustion and/or massage (tui-na); Identify and assess lifestyle, dietary or other multi-cultural and multi-racial factors that should be explained to a patient/client living and working within the Australian healthcare context
  3. Identify and explain strengths and limits of CM, any cautions and contraindications that need to be considered; possible adverse reactions to the herbal treatment and acupuncture, possible interactions between herbs and other medications, the need of reporting adverse events, and the necessity of referral to other medical practitioner when appropriate.
Unit requirement To successfully complete the unit, students must: attend 80% of all the lectures and tutorial classes; attempt all assessment tasks and achieve at least 50% of the total marks; and achieve a mark of at least 40% in the final examination.
Assessment Assessment 1: Class Exam (25%)

Assessment 2: Class Exam (25%)

Assessment 3: Final Examination (50%)

Prescribed text * The prescribed and recommended readings are subject to annual review.

Maciocia, G (2008). The practice of Chinese medicine: The treatment of diseases with acupuncture and Chinese herbs (2nd ed.). Edinburgh; New York: Elsevier.

Maclean, W., Lyttleton J (2009). Clinical Handbook of Internal Medicine: the Treatment of Disease with Traditional Chinese Medicine (Volume 3 Blood Fluid Channels), Sydney, University of Western Sydney.

Recommended readings Xia, X,. Shen, XH,. Chen M (2013). Introduction to Chinese Internal Medicine. World Century; New Jersey.

Liu, Y., Eckman, P., & Vian, K (1988). The essential book of traditional Chinese medicine vol 2 (clinical practice). New York: Columbia University Press.

Maclean, W., & Lyttleton, J (1998). Clinical handbook of internal medicine: The treatment of disease with traditional Chinese medicine vol 1 &vol 2 (2nd ed.). Sydney: University of Western Sydney, Macarthur.

Wang, S (1996). Advanced textbook on traditional Chinese medicine and pharmacology, vol III: Internal medicine (1st ed.). Beijing: New World Press.

Li XM., Brown L. (2009). Efficacy and mechanisms of action of traditional Chinese medicines for treating asthma and allergy. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 123 (2) P297–306.

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