An investigation Into Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospitals in China: Development Trend and Medical Service Innovation

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau

2 Faculty of Arts and Humanity, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau

Abstract

Background
This paper aims to investigate the development trend of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospitals in China and explore their medical service innovations, with special reference to the changing co-existence with western medicine (WM) at TCM hospitals.
 
Methods
Quantitative data at macro level was collected from official databases of China Health Statistical Yearbook and Extracts of Traditional Chinese Medicine Statistics. Qualitative data at micro level was gathered through interviews and second-hand material collection at two of the top-level TCM hospitals.
 
Results
In both outpatient and inpatient sectors of TCM hospitals, drug fees accounted for the biggest part of hospital revenue. Application of WM medical exanimation increased in both outpatient and inpatient services. Even though the demand for WM drugs was much higher in inpatient care, TCM drugs was the winner in the outpatient. Also qualitative evidence showed that TCM dominated the outpatient hospital service with WM incorporated in the assisting role. However, it was in the inpatient medical care that WM prevailed over TCM which was mostly applied to the rehabilitation of patients.
 
Conclusion
By drawing on WM while keeping it active in supporting and strengthening the TCM operation in the TCM hospital, the current system accommodates the overriding objective which is for TCM to evolve into a fully informed and more viable medical field.

Keywords

Main Subjects


  1. Wu GH, Zang YX, Liu YX, et al. China Health Management Dictionary. Beijing: Science and Technology of China Press; 2001.
  2. Liu B. Characteristics and management of traditional Chinese medical institutions. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Management. 2000;10: 9-11.
  3. Cui YL. Yearbook of Health in the People’s Republic of China. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House; 1983.
  4. Xia LH. The advantage, weakness and countermeasures of traditional Chinese medical hospitals to adapt market economy. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Management. 1997;3:38-39.
  5. Shang LM. Reflections on promoting the healthy development of traditional Chinese medical hospitals. Hubei Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2005;8:3-4.
  6. Zhu XH, Liu JM, Huang HL, Lu YB. Development strategies of general traditional Chinese medical hospitals. Journal of Medical Theory & Practice. 2011;11:1358-1360.
  7. Jin GL. Reasons and strategies of the westernization of traditional Chinese medicine. Chinese Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy. 2000;11:6-9.
  8. Ding BH, Zhou K. The deep-thinking of modernization and the improving-road of TCM. Medicine and Philosophy. 2001;11:4-6.
  9. Zheng XN. Talking about the building ideas of traditional Chinese medical hospitals. Chinese Journal of Current Hospital Administration. 2011;4:1-3.
  10. Xing XY, Wang Z. Discussion and suggestion on the plight of traditional Chinese medical hospitals. Nei Mongol Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2011;19:170.
  11. Huang CY. Highlight the Chinese characteristics and reflect the characteristics of the times. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Management. 1994;1:58-59.
  12. Xue J, Wu WP, Yu SC. Modernization of traditional Chinese medical hospital. Chinese Hospital Management. 2000;20:29-31.
  13. Zhang YC. Thinking of integrating traditional Chinese medical science with western medicine in traditional Chinese medicine hospital. Chinese Hospital Management. 2001;21:20-22.
  14. Xu Q, Bauer R, Hendry BM, et al. The quest for modernisation of traditional Chinese medicine. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013;13:132. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-13-132
  15. Nelson RR, Buterbaugh K, Perl M, Gelijns A. How medical know-how progresses. Research Policy. 2011;40(10):1339-1344. doi:10.1016/j.respol.2011.06.014
  16. Chen LJ. Traditional Chinese medicine hospitals: 50 years’ evolutions and experiences. Chinese Hospital Management. 1999;19:594-595.
  17. Chen LJ. The review of model traditional Chinese medical hospitals’ building. Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration. 1999;15:316-317.
  18. Sun DZ, Li SD, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Mei R, Yang MH. Differences in the origin of philosophy between Chinese medicine and western medicine: exploration of the holistic advantages of Chinese medicine. Chin J Integr Med. 2013;19:706-711.
  19. Xu HX. The policy on traditional Chinese medicine in the early time of the People’s Republic of China. Inheritance & Innovation. 2008;18:3-5.
  20. Zhang LX. Why it is difficult for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Hospital to become a veritable TCM hospital. Journal of Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2007;23:803-804.
  21. Wen CH. Confusion and countermeasure of traditional Chinese medicine hospitals at the county level. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Management. 1999;12:65.
  22. Li ZY, Chu JN. The achievements of traditional Chinese medicine hospital in China’s 30-year reform and opening-up. Chinese Journal of Health Policy. 2008;1:9-12.
  23. Wang YQ. The bottleneck of TCM hospitals’ development and its countermeasures. Modern Hospital. 2007;17:82-83.
  24. Jia Q, Chen YJ, Chen GM, Yang JP, Ying GR. The significant strategic status of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) should be established. Eng Sci. 2004;6:6-12.
  25. Shen JJ, Wang Y, Lin F, et al. Trends of increase in western medical services in traditional medicine hospitals in china. BMC Health Serv Res. 2011;11:212. doi:10.1186/1472-6963-11-212
  26. Zhou XM. The construction and development of Chinese medicine hospital under the new situation. Chinese Journal of Management in Chinese Medicine. 2008;145: 9123103.
  27. Deng XG, Feng Y. Direction of the modern hospital of traditional Chinese medicine. Chinese Hospital Management. 2004;24:25-26.
  28. Wen CL. Enhancing traditional Chinese medicine features in the TCM hospital reform. Chinese Journal of Hospital Management. 1996;1:241-243.
  29. Zhao F, Sun YX. The analysis on the constraining factors and strategy of development of Chinese traditional medicine hospitals. Chinese Hospitals. 2003;17:12-14.
  30. Tian Z. Thinking of development of traditional Chinese medicine hospital under the new medical reform. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Management. 2011;19:27-29.
  31. Hong BL, Fang YY, Cheng W, et al. The Status quo and problems of traditional Chinese medicine service system in China. Chinese Health Economics. 2010;29:33-35.
  32. Liu X. Analysis and reflection on the status of TCM staffs. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Management. 2012;20:62-63.
  33. Wang BF, Qin XY. Practice on building traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospital sustainable development by special advantage of TCM. Chinese Hospitals. 2010;14:43-46.
  34. Shi QR, Tan LB, Huang HL. Analysis of relation between brand construction and personnel training. Chinese Hospital Management. 2008;28:50-51.