A Pre- and Post-test Intervention Design to Develop a Communication Training Model for Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): a Pilot Study

TCM is a growing global phenomenon. Despite its historical role in Chinese society, limited research explored TCM practitioner-patient interactions.

This study will investigate the effectiveness of an intervention enhancing TCM practitioners' communication skills. It hypothesises that after controlling for baseline scores, TCM practitioners receiving training will integrate patients’ Western medical history into TCM treatment and show improved clinical communication skills. Eight Cantonese-speaking registered TCM practitioners in HK will be recruited in HA tripartite clinics (with TCM training qualifications in mainland China, and in three universities: HKU, CUHK, HKBU), and randomised into control (n=51) and experimental groups (n=51). The experimental group will be trained in patient-centred communication, with an internationally recognised and validated framework on taking Western medical history and communicating diagnosis and treatment plans. Consultations before and after training will be video-recorded and the quality of the interactions rated. The training will be evaluated by comparing the two groups before, immediately, and at 3 months after training. The researchers will use validated, internationally recognised scales for measuring practitioners' clinical communication skills and the quality of interactions; and patient satisfaction, compliments and understanding of their treatment. As well, practitioners will be asked about their ages, qualifications, experience and prior knowledge of western medicine using structured questionnaire.

The proposed intervention is expected to improve patient-centred communication and proficiency and to result in better care through the integration of patient’s Western medical history. The results will be used to develop and validate a communication model integrating TCM.

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