358 Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine Into Primary Care Practice

Abstract

Background: Complimentary and alternative medicine is used by millions of people to supplement Western medicine practices or in some cultures, substitute for Western medicine. It is imperative that pediatric nurses be knowledgeable concerning health beliefs and practices of the populations they serve. The Asian population continues to grow and immigrants often maintain health beliefs and illness management strategies from their culture. Purpose: This poster or presentation will describe a unique educational experience between Yale University and Hong Kong Polytechnic University to offer graduate nursing students a comprehensive didactic course and skills laboratory experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Description: The objectives of the course were to have students compare theories of health and well-being, disease and illness, between Chinese and Western societies, identify how TCM is currently integrated into health care in China and develop beginning skills in traditional Chinese assessment and treatment modalities. Students had opportunities to visit diagnostic skills centers, integrative health clinics, and herbal dispensaries in addition to attending daily lectures. Findings: Pictures of the educational program and reflections of the eight APRN students who participated in 2010 will be presented. Students were fascinated by the complexity and relevance of the ancient Chinese philosophy of health and illness and were able to identify ways of integrating this knowledge into practice in the United States. Summary: Traditional Chinese health care practices are commonly used and nursing health care providers must be more sensitive to their use and aware of cultural safety in integration with Western medicine.