A Comparative Analysis of the Control Effect of Medical Expenses between General Hospitals and Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospitals from 2012 to 2021

Objective To analyze the changing trend of average medical expenses and structure in general hospitals and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)hospitals and the effects and differences achieved by the two kinds of hospitals through controlling unreasonable growth of medical expenses,so as to provide reference for controlling the rapid rise of medical cost in public hospitals and optimizing the cost structure.Methods Based on the changes of related indicators of medical expense control from 2012 to 2021,the overall characteristics,changes of cost structure and trends of medical expenses in general hospitals and TCM hospitals were investigated.Results and Conclusion From 2012 to 2021,the increase of medical expenses in general hospitals and traditional Chinese medicine hospitals had slowed down,the proportion of drug revenue to medical income began to decline,and the medical service income increased.However,the proportion of inspection,test and sanitary materials income has increased instead of decreasing,but the management cost has decreased.The two kinds of hospitals have achieved certain cost control results,the structure of medical cost has changed greatly,and the technical service and labor value of medical personnel have been reflected to a certain extent.However,it is still necessary to explore a more scientific and reasonable cost control mechanism to promote the further optimization of medical cost structure.

Research on the Development Strategy of Panxi Sunshine Health and Wellness Homestays and Hotels Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation

This study is the first phase of research results from the student innovation project“Yunqiao Sunshine Health and Wellness Homestay”group at Chengdu Normal University.By analyzing the current state of the Sunshine Health and Wellness Tourism Area economy in the Panxi region of Sichuan,local policies,and the current state of Sunshine Health and Wellness homestays and hotels,this paper proposes the possibility of developing Sunshine Health and Wellness homestays and hotels through traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)health preservation methods.It also proposes development strategies for such hotels through a market survey SWOT analysis.

Application and Practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine Characteristic Technology Inheritance in Research and Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations in Medical Institutions

Medical institution preparations play an important role in the development of hospitals,being one of the main forms of traditional Chinese medicine clinical characteristic medication,as well as an important carrier for the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine.In recent years,the research and development of traditional Chinese medicine preparations has become a hot spot in the research and development of preparations by medical institutions.Traditional Chinese medicine preparations prepared by traditional processes and their entrusted preparation matters have changed from the current licensing management to filing management.The registration model of traditional Chinese medicine preparations has undergone significant changes,emphasizing more on real data and evaluation results from the objective world,respecting traditional medication experience,and emphasizing the inheritance and innovative development of traditional technological experience.In the process of following teachers in the inheritance project of traditional Chinese medicine,we combined the inheritance of traditional Chinese medicine characteristic technology with the research and development practice of traditional Chinese medicine preparations in medical institutions,and focused on the analysis and discussion of technical problems such as prescription screening,dosage form selection,process route design and clinical observation of traditional Chinese medicine preparations,hoping to provide reference for scholars in the same field of traditional Chinese medicine.

Study on the Changes of Medical Income Structure in Governmentrun Hospitals of Traditional Chinese Medicine from 2012 to 2021

Objective To study the changing characteristics and trend of medical income structure in the government-run hospitals of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),evaluate the effects of relevant reform measures,and to put forward corresponding suggestions for further optimizing their income structure.Methods The data related to the average medical income of government-run hospitals of TCM from 2012 to 2021 were sorted out.Then,descriptive analysis method was used to analyze the changes of related indicators.Besides,structural change method was applied to investigate the changes of outpatient income and inpatient income.Results and Conclusion From 2012 to 2021,the growth of medical income in government-run hospitals of TCM tended to be stable,and the proportion of medical service income increased from 22.62%(2012)to 29.38%(2021),but the average annual growth rate was only 0.68%.The main items that caused the change of outpatient income structure were medicine revenue,laboratory tests,diagnosis and treatment,and the cumulative contribution rate was 89.15%.The main items that caused the change of inpatient income structure were medicine revenue,sanitary materials,and auxiliary examinations income,with a cumulative contribution rate of 80.04%.However,the contribution rate of registration,diagnosis,treatment,surgery and nursing income reflecting the value of medical personnel’s technical labor was relatively small.The medical income structure of government-run hospitals of TCM underwent great changes and gradually became reasonable,but the medical service income increased slowly,and not all indicators achieved the expectations.To promote the sustainable development of public hospitals of TCM and enable them to provide high-quality and efficient TCM medical and health services,it is necessary to further improve the relevant policy mechanism.

Health technology assessment in traditional Chinese medicine in China: current status, opportunities, and challenges

Objectives:The widespread usage of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and the government's emphasis on TCM in China have created a positive macro-environment and great opportunities to develop and strengthen health technology assessment(HTA)in TCM.Over the past ten years,a series of policies have been issued by the government to promote the application of HTA and the development of TCM in China.This study reviews the concepts and characteristics of TCM,summarizes the current status of HTA in TCM,and analyzes the opportunities and challenges faced by HTA development in TCM with respect to deepening of healthcare reforms.Methods:Literature review and website searches were used to acquire information regarding the basic theories of TCM and the current status,opportunities,and challenges for HTA in TCM.Results:The number of articles on HTA in TCM rose substantially,especially those published in China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI).With the optimistic policy environment and huge market demand for TCM,the development of HTA in TCM is expected to flourish in China.However,HTA in TCM also faces numerous challenges such as the absence of a clinical efficacy evaluation system for TCM and insufficient basic research evidence and qualified personnel.Conclusions:TCM has unique characteristic that distinguishes it from Western medicine.Currently,it is important to take all measures to address the existing main challenges and thereby take advantage of the present opportunities to develop and improve HTA in TCM.

Concepts of body constitution, health and sub-health from traditional Chinese medicine perspective

This paper described and discussed the important literature and ideas about the concepts, types and measurement of body constitution, in terms of healthy,sub-healthy and disease status. In view of traditional Chinese medicine, ‘‘healthy" state is a status of relative balance of Yin and Yang to keep our bodily homeostasis. If there are significant physical and/or psychological stressors, such as loss of a beloved one and failure in study or work, the body can no longer keep its own bodily condition balanced and subsequently enter a state of ‘‘sub-health"(sub-optimal health).‘‘unhealthy" body constitution such as ‘‘Dampnessheat", ‘‘Cold-dampness" and ‘‘Heat- or Cold- dryness"with a subnormal body temperature and humidity and clinical manifestations such as insomnia, malaise and overweight will be presented. Immediate, appropriate strategies such as modification of life-style and seeking medical treatment can prevent evolution of an illness.Otherwise, the body will enter a disease status with a‘‘pathological" body constitution of ‘‘Yin or Yang deficiency'', ‘‘Blood-stasis" and/or ‘‘Phlegm-dampness". To be complimentary with health promotion and disease prevention in Western medicine, understanding about an individual's body constitution, together with itsdeterminants(e.g., healthy eating and lifestyle behaviors), can contribute to a more proactive, holistic and individualized healthcare.

Chinese Immigrants’Health Beliefs and Practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine in British Columbia of Canada

Objective:This study is to address the health beliefs and health behavior of Chinese immigrants residing in the Greater Vancouver area of British Columbia(BC)Province in Canada.This article discussed Chinese immigrants’traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)use,health beliefs,and health behaviors.Methods:Information used in this study is based on data collected in the Chinese-speaking community in the Greater Vancouver area of BC in 2020–2022.Quantitative and qualitative methods were applied to this study.The first stage recruited 314 participants for the quantitative study to cross-validate an instrument tool,followed by the 2nd stage of 20 stratified random sampling out of the 314 participants for TCM-related in-depth qualitative interviews.This study focuses on the second stage of TCM qualitative interviews.Results:Results indicated that TCM health beliefs have cultural and spiritual meanings tied to the Chinese-speaking participants.There are barriers for the Chinese-speaking population to access the existing healthcare services due to their TCM health beliefs and other health needs,for example,family doctors,integrated medicine for better health outcomes,and mental health services especially during the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.Conclusion:Integrating TCM health beliefs and behaviors of Chinese-speaking immigrants into existing Canadian mainstream health services are strongly recommended.

A New Page for Women's Reproductive Health in Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine

The integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine (ICWM) of obstetrics and gynecology (OBS/GYN) emerged eventually with more than 40 years’ hard struggle, and one of the most promising articles is the integration of the masterpieces of menstrual disorder and infertility in TCM and the virtual explosion of new knowledge and methods in

Historical Medical Exchanges Following the Confluence of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine:Coexistence and Mutual Development

This article examines the overall characteristics of historical medical exchanges between China and foreign countries,analyzing their contribution to the development of medicines in the world.It presents a summary of historical experiences of the development of medicines through mutual exchanges.It also provides an objective analysis of the effects of the eastward dissemination of Western medicine on traditional Chinese medicine.The history of their exchanges can be used as a mirror for each to learn from the other’s strengths to offset their own weakness,and achieve the coordinated and balanced development of both traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine.Such balanced development would enable the world’s medicinal systems to thrive and protect the health of people worldwide.

On the maintenance and intervention of health in Hainan Island from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine

The prevention and treatment of diseases in traditional Chinese medicine pay attention to the"due to people due to time and place".With its unique natural resources,climate and ecological environment,as well as its unique lifestyle,Hainan Island residents'health should have strong local characteristics.Through reviewing the literature,this paper finds that:the residents of Hainan Island have more Yin deficiency,qi deficiency and damp-heat deficiency;The pathogeny and disease syndrome of residents in Hainan Island are also different from other regions.Therefore,the maintenance and intervention of residents'health in Hainan Island has unique characteristics.

Learning, understanding, trusting and applying-Promoting development of traditional Chinese medicine from medical education

From the end of the Qing dynasty to the establishment of Republic of China until the present day, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has declined from the original medical system parallel to western medicine to a supplementary medicine in China. During the long time, western medicine has gradually become the dominate medical system forming the situation of 'western medicine in the north, TCM in the wild'. On July 1, 2017, China's TCM law has been officially implemented ensuring a time of great opportunity for TCM in the future. The current situations are: 'western medicine is dominated, TCM are supplementary for use'. Some people insist that TCM should be weakened others suppose that Chinese medicine should be evaluated with biomedical standards and are lack of scientificity. Facing the disadvantages of degradation of Chinese medicine, lack of characteristics, the development of TCM still has a long way to go. This paper puts forward the 'education of medical students', so that medical students can learn, understand, believe and use TCM in order to carry forward the career of TCM.

Effect of traditional Chinese medicine and traditional health care sports on the development of modem community sports

After thousands of years of history, traditional Chinese medicine and traditional health care sports survive the fittest in the screening of the natural law, breeding, enduring Cheung, and reflects the inherent vitality. Investigation thoroughly on the effect of traditional Chinese medicine and traditional health care sports for the development of modem community sports is to examine and understand its meaning and value from a higher level, to better inherit and carry forward the excellent traditional culture of China and thus to explore meeting point of traditional Chinese medicine and traditional health sports and modem sports. It also ensures the community to establish a healthy concept, improve the cultural quality, strengthen the moral cultivation, rouse the national spirit, increase life interest and form the modem community culture. In short, by the national education of traditional Chinese medicine and traditional protection movement, there is a unique advantage other cultures are incomparable.

Study on the Correlation between Syndrome Differentiation of Malignant Pleural Effusion Treated by External Treatment of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Immunohistochemistry of Biopsy Tissue Based on Medical Video-assisted Thoracoscope

Objective:Guided by the theory of syndrome differentiation of yin and yang in traditional Chinese medicine surgery,through visual observation of internal medicine thoracoscope,comprehensive observation of pleural cavity and immunohistochemistry of biopsy tissue,to classify malignant pleural effusion according to syndrome differentiation,and to explore the scientific nature of its theory.Methods:From March 1,2014 to February 28,2015,40 cases of malignant pleural effusion were treated in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University.According to the proposed TCM diagnostic criteria for yin and yang syndrome differentiation,and collect age,gender,course of disease,clinical symptoms,tumor primary focus,histomorphological manifestations and immunohistochemical results and other related information,and carry out statistical data processing.Results:The positive syndrome was mainly metastatic lung adenocarcinoma,which accounted for the majority of all MPE cases,up to 75%.The immunohistochemical results of biopsy tissues were mainly CEA and TTF-1 positive;While pleural effusion caused by pleural mesothelioma was the main type of yin syndrome,and the results of immunohistochemistry combined with biopsy were mainly positive for D2-40,Calretinin,WT-1 and CK5/6.Conclusion:TCM syndrome differentiation of MPE based on internal thoracoscopy combined with biopsy immunohistochemical results has sufficient theoretical basis and certain scientific nature,and further clinical research is needed to verify its effectiveness and practicability in the future.

Literature review and analysis of the application of health outcome assessment instruments in Chinese medicine

OBJECTIVE： To evaluate the application of health assessment instruments in Chinese medicine. METHODS： According to a pre-defined search strategy, a comprehensive literature search for all articles published in China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases was conducted. The resulting articles that met the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria were used for analysis. RESULTS： A total of 97 instruments for health outcome assessment in Chinese medicine have been used in fundamental and theoretical research, and 14 of these were also used in 29 clinical trials that were randomized controlled trials, or descriptive or cross-sectional studies. In 2 152 Chinese medicine-based studies that used instruments in their methodology, more than 150 questionnaires were identified. Among the identified questionnaires, 51 were used in more than 10 articles （0.5%）. Most of these instruments were developed in Western countries and few studies （4%） used the instrument as the primary evidence for their conclusions. CONCLUSION： Usage of instruments for health outcome assessment in Chinese medicine is increasing rapidly; however, current limitations include selection rationale, result interpretation and standardization, which must be addressed accordingly.

Role of traditional Chinese medicine in the initiative practice for health

To achieve awareness of the initiative practice for health concept in the Chinese population,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)doctors should popularize TCM culture and knowledge among young people,people with a low level of education,in low-income populations,and in rural populations.

Hospital-based health technology assessment:The next frontier for traditional Chinese medicine hospitals

Hospital-based health technology assessment(HB-HTA)is highly valuable in the application of hospital medical technology,cost control,improvement of medical quality,and protection of medical safety,and its use is increasing daily globally.However,in China,HB-HTA is still in its infancy,and it is yet to be adopted in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).Therefore,this article introduces the application and development of HB-HTA,as well as discusses the current situation of TCM and related future development strategies to provide ideas and references for the development of HB-HTA in TCM.We conclude and recommend that all major stakeholders,including the state,health departments,and hospital leaders,support and promote the exploration and development of HB-HTA in TCM hospitals and integrative medicine hospitals.We also suggest the utilization of existing talents and introduction of other necessary talents to promote better and faster organizational development,as well as suggest the formation of a national and internationally recognized HB-HTA guidance manual and toolkit for TCM hospitals based on both the national HTA guidelines and the evaluation of TCM hospitals pilot projects.Moreover,we recommend that HB-HTA pilot study should be executed with Chinese patent medicine as the starting point to form the implementation process and framework in the TCM arena.

Hypertension knowledge in urban elderly patients:compari-son between adherents to traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine

Objective To compare knowledge about hypertension between elderly Chinese urban patients with preferences for either traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) or Western medicine (WM). Methods Elderly (≥ 65 years old) patients with hypertension who prefer TCM treatment (n=112) or WM (n=126) were questioned about hypertension. Their answers were compared. Results Only 32.6% of participants correctly identified hypertension as a main risk factor of coronary heart disease and stroke, 22.3% of patients answered that the main purpose of hypertension control was preventing cardiovascular disease. Other major reasons for these patients to seek medical treatment for their hypertension included: persuasion by physicians or their family members (21.6%), alleviating symptoms such as headache and dizziness (16.8%), lowering blood pressure without knowing specific reason (12.4%). The predictors for poor knowledge of hypertension were similar irrespective of preference for WM or TCM treatment, and included those with lower levels of education and older age. Television and newspaper (46.8%) were the most frequent sources of hypertension information for both groups. Among those who preferred TCM treatment, "TCM has fewer side effects than WM" and"TCM cures disease while WM only alleviates symptoms" were common beliefs held. Conclusion This study shows that knowledge of hypertension is similar among Chinese urban patients with preferences for either WM or TCM treatment and that misunderstandings about hypertension are common among the elderly patients. In order to control hypertension effectively, public health education is necessary. This should target those with a lower level of education and older age.

Analysis on the medication rules and mechanisms of action of traditional Chinese medicine in treating cervical cancer

Objective: To summarize the rule of application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer, and to explore the molecular mechanism of the compatibility of core herbs. Methods: Collect relevant literatures on cervical cancer in Chinese National Knowledgey Ifrastructure (CNKI), use TCM inheritance platform system (TCMISSV2.5) for association rules and complex system entropy clustering analysis;use BATMAN-TCM online analysis tools to construct target-pathway-disease network to reveal the underlying mechanisms of action. Results: Among the 78 prescriptions selected, a total of 172 Chinese medicines were used, and the five most frequently used herbs were Huang-bo (Phellodendri Chinrnsis Cortex), Fu-ling (Poria Cocos), Huang-qi (Hedysarum Multijugum Maxim.), Bai-hua-she-she-cao (Hedyotis Diffusae Herba) and Gan-cao (Licorice). Bai-hua-she-she-cao (Hedyotis Diffusae Herba) and Huang-qi (Hedysarum Multijugum Maxim.), Bai-hua-she-she-cao (Hedyotis Diffusae Herba) and Fu-ling (Poria Cocos), Bai-zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Koidz.) and Fu-ling (Poria Cocos) are the three most commonly used medicine match. In addition, through cluster analysis, a total of 4 core herbs compatibility and 2 new prescriptions were excavated. Herbs in the new prescriptions which are used to clearing heat-toxin and removing dampness were most frequently used. Through the analysis of the signal pathway of high frequency Chinese medicines, we found that neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway may play important roles. Conclusion: The core Chinese medicines for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer are mainly clearing heat-toxin and removing dampness. The core Chinese medicines may play their anti-cervical cancer by interfering with the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction signaling pathway.

Traditional Chinese medicine for promoting mental health of patients with COVID-19:a scoping review

Objective:This study aimed to systematically review and depict the current studies of traditional Chinese medicine for the mental health of patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).Methods:A scoping review was conducted by searching PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,Wanfang database,VIP database,and SinoMed,with the retrieval time being from the establishment of the database to April 18,2022.The basic information of the included studies,objective,design,types of patients,interventions,outcomes,etc.,was reviewed and summarized narratively.Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool,the methodological index for nonrandomized studies or the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.Results:We identified 30 traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)studies from six databases.Among them,finished randomized controlled trials(n=16)accounted for most of the studies,followed by single-arm studies(n=9).In terms of study theme,20 studies defined the mental health of patients with COVID-19 as the research theme.Psychological assessment was included in the inclusion criteria(performed before participation)of nine studies,whereas the other studies only mentioned the mental outcomes.TCM interventions included TCM exercises(Yijinjing,Baduanjin,Liuzijue,Taichi),acupoint stimulation(auricular and body points),moxibustion,decoction,or granules based on TCM syndrome differentiation,decoction,or granules with fixed formulae(Baidu Jieduan granules,Xuanfei Baidu decoction,and Qingfei Paidu decoction),Chinese patent medicine(Jinhua Qinggan granules),TCM psychological therapy(TCM ideological therapy,TCM five-tone therapy,and TCM psychological sand table),and TCM nursing(dialectical care,dialectical diet,and psychological counseling).Anxiety and depression were the main outcomes evaluated in regard to mental health in patients with COVID-19.The limitations of methodological quality were predominantly from follow-up,blinding,and registration.Positive results were reported by 27 studies(90%,n=30).Conclusion:We summarized the existing literature about the impact of TCM on mental health in patients with COVID-19.The number of studies evaluating the impact of TCM on mental health is encouraging,but overall methodological quality was low.Several TCM interventions warrant further evaluation,particularly among populations outside of China,for the purpose of establishing supporting evidence.More importantly,research with stronger methodological quality needs to be developed.

A Preliminary Study on Legitimacy Identification Standards for Unconventional Treatment Technologies in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Compared with western medicine with objective and standardized theories,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)places more emphasis on subjective thinking.Moreover,there are several academic schools under TCM,and ancient secret prescriptions and proven prescriptions play important roles in TCM treatments.However,the drugs used by some academic schools and some ancient secret prescriptions and proven prescriptions often contradict mainstream theories,and some TCM treatment methods do not significantly conform to the methods that are considered safe by the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2015 edition),medical textbooks and other canonical books.Despite the long history and abundant successful experiences of TCM treatments,controversies regarding these unconventional treatment technologies,specifically when these breach the safety standards of treatment,exist considering that several medical adverse effects are observed when performing these unconventional treatments.In view of this,distinguishing“welldefined technological breakthrough”from“medical fault”is considered necessary.This study discusses the issue and raises constructive suggestions on the corresponding identification standards for unconventional treatment strategies in TCM.