Paper
Saturday, November 3, 2007
61
An Investigation on Competence of TCM for BSN Graduates in Taiwan
Ue-Lin Chung, EdD, RN, Nursing Department, National Taipei College of Nursing, Taipei, Taiwan and Yi-Chun Yeh, RN, MSN, Military office, HungKuang University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| Learning Objective #1: identify competencies of TCM required of BSN graduates in Taiwan. |
| Learning Objective #2: explore studies related to nursing applications in TCM. |
Majority of patients receiving treatments from allopathic medicine as well as TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) in Taiwan. Allopathic medicine trained nurses seem unable to meet the needs of patients receiving TCM. However, what TCM competencies are required of BSN graduates? How can they be cultivated in this area? These questions have never been probed. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine TCM competencies of BSN graduates in Taiwan. Using focus groups, a total of thirty participants, including nurse educators, nursing staff and customers, were interviewed. The interview tapes were transcribed verbatim, proofed for accuracy and content analyzed. Results indicated that the TCM competencies of BSN graduates should include the followings: (1) to understand the basic concepts of TCM, including Yin/Yang, Five Evolutive phases, holistic view, five viscera Six Bowels, meridian, and concept of therapy and health preservation; (2) to recognize the cold and hot nature of food; (3) to illustrate the common dietetic care for immune enhancement in the four seasons, postnatal and postoperative physical-regeneration; (4) to illustrate the properties, indications, and administration of common TCM medicine, including: Ginseng, Lycium, Astragalus, Angelicae Sinensis(
Tang-Kuei)
,Chrysanthemum, Pinellia, Zizyphi fructus; (5) to describe the properties, indications, adverse effects, administration of Si-Wu-Tang and Sheng-Hua-Tang; (6) to simultaneously describe basic principles of administering TCM and Western medicine; (7) to describe the indications and modalities of the following techniques: acupuncture, scraping therapy, and cupping; (8) to implement acupressure as a measure for promoting comfort under the following conditions: pain, vomiting, insomnia, palpitation; and (9) to demonstrate an open mind and cautious attitude to respect consumers using TCM. Results of the study can serve as a reference for nurse educators upon cultivating BSN graduates for TCM competencies.