World Health Organization survey on the level of integration of traditional Chinese medicine in Chinese health system rehabilitation services

Lei Fang; Ran-ran Zhu; Zhen Sang; Xiao-ting Xu; Lin-yun Zheng; Yanwei Xiang; Chaoyang Guo; Zhenrui Li; Stéphane Alexandre Espinosa; Qi Zhang; Chunlei Shan

Integrative Medicine Research (Jun 2023)

World Health Organization survey on the level of integration of traditional Chinese medicine in Chinese health system rehabilitation services

Lei Fang,
Ran-ran Zhu,
Zhen Sang,
Xiao-ting Xu,
Lin-yun Zheng,
Yanwei Xiang,
Chaoyang Guo,
Zhenrui Li,
Stéphane Alexandre Espinosa,
Qi Zhang,
Chunlei Shan

Affiliations

Lei Fang: School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
Ran-ran Zhu: School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
Zhen Sang: Institute of TCM International Standardization, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
Xiao-ting Xu: Institute of TCM International Standardization, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
Lin-yun Zheng: WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
Yanwei Xiang: School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
Chaoyang Guo: School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
Zhenrui Li: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
Stéphane Alexandre Espinosa: Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine Governmental Agencies of Service Delivery and Safety, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
Qi Zhang: Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Integrated Health Services Department, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Corresponding authors.
Chunlei Shan: School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Corresponding authors.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 12, no. 2
p. 100945

Abstract

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Background: To meet the growing global demand for rehabilitation services, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched Rehabilitation 2030. This study was commissioned by the WHO to investigate the integration degree of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Chinese health system rehabilitation services and the demand for TCM rehabilitation in China. Methods: Twenty TCM rehabilitation experts and relevant government administrators were invited to complete the questionnaire between September 2019 and January 2022. The development of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCI) rehabilitation in China was assessed primarily based on six different health system components. Results: 26 policies, regulations, and national strategic plans related to TCI rehabilitation were issued by relevant government departments since 2002; notably, 14 policies related to TCI rehabilitation development were intensively introduced from 2016 to 2021. These policies cover the three main areas of financing, infrastructure development, and service delivery. The National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine's investment in TCM clinical capacity infrastructure and scientific research in 2019–2021 increased by 66% compared to 2010–2012, and the average number of TCM hospitals with rehabilitation departments in 2020 increased by 6.5% compared to 2018. The proportion of community health service centers providing TCM services in primary medical and health institutions has increased by 30.8% over the past 10 years. Conclusion: Long-term continuous policies, substantial financial investment, and expansion of the scope of TCI rehabilitation services in primary care institutions have effectively contributed to the rapid development of TCI rehabilitation. However, human resources and financing mechanisms for TCI rehabilitation need further improvement.

Published in Integrative Medicine Research

ISSN: 2213-4220 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Other systems of medicine: Miscellaneous systems and treatments
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/integrative-medicine-research/

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