Communication in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Introduction

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Communication is an indispensable skill for health professionals, including TCM practitioners (Leonard, 2017). Both verbal and non-verbal communication are utilised in TCM, from communicating with clients during consultation sessions to recording the diagnosis of client’s condition on consultation forms. Compared to a conventional Western medical interview, TCM interview has a longer duration, as practitioners have to cover the four diagnostic tools, Inspection, Listening/Olfaction, Inquiry and Palpation (Li, 2008; Maciocia, 2015).

Learning of communication skills provides opportunities for practitioners to better establish client-centred practice (Hashim, 2017). Communication skills, such as active listening and use of appropriate questions, play a crucial role in allowing TCM practitioners to more efficiently in collecting information regarding the client’s condition (Stein-Parbury, 2017). Moreover, with appropriate communication skills, certain Chinese philosophies in TCM can be better communicated across to clients, thus enabling establishment of a steady therapeutic relationship that is built upon the development of rapport, trust and respect (Price, 2017).

This ePortfolio is an assignment for 400732 Communication in Health, and it serves as an opportunity for me to reflect about the theories learnt in class how to apply them in a practical setting. By itself, ePortfolio is considered a written medium and would challenge me to apply relevant communication skills involved in writing. Additionally, this ePortfolio includes my reflection on five selected topics in communication. In each of the reflections, a brief summary of what I have learnt for the topic is given, as well as a practical approach that I have tried to formulate.

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