It's clear the profession is continuing to make progress in the U.S.; however, the latest World Health Organization (WHO) Global Report on Traditional and Complementary Medicine 2019 breaks down the progress being made worldwide. It also assesses the implementation of efforts put in place by the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023, published in 2013, and written in response to the World Health Assembly resolution on traditional medicine (WHA62.13).1-2
Upon reaching the strategic plan's halfway point, it seems WHO is on the right track. As the executive summary states, "Globally, the landscape for [Traditional & Chinese Medicine] has been improving consistently. In line with the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002–2005 and the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023, and relevant World Health Assembly resolutions, Member States took steps between 2005 and 2018 to promote the safety, quality and effectiveness of T&CM. They also took steps for the appropriate integration of T&CM into health systems (particularly health services) by developing national policies, regulatory frameworks and strategic plans for T&CM products, practices and practitioners."
The report is broken into five sections: 1) national framework for traditional and complementary medicine; 2) regulatory status of herbal medicines; 3) practice, providers, education and health insurance; 4) challenges and the need for WHO support; and 5) country summaries. To review the complete report please click here.
References
WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2019.
WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023. Hong Kong, SAR, China, 2013: p 11.
Because traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) views the human body as an interconnected network of energy (qi) and seeks to restore balance and harmony, ensuring the smooth flow of qi and blood is crucial to nourish and regulate the reproductive system. TCM treatment aims to regulate menstruation, reduce anovulatory menstruation, help ovulation, improve egg quality, stabilize progesterone, and provide a good endometrium environment for successful implantation and pregnancy.
U.S. Representatives Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) have reintroduced the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act (nowH.R. 1667) in the 119th Congress. As with previous iterations of the legislation, H.R. 1667 would authorizethe U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to recognize qualified acupuncturists as Medicare providers. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) both weigh in on the importance of the legislation.
What’s the single most important thing to ensure your patient gets better? The key is patient education and scheduling appropriately. But how do you do that in a clinically relevant way that is representative of a medical professional? The answer lies in the most fundamental aspect of our intakes: OPQRST(L).
