Summary of Some Barriers of Communication (Source: Communication Coach Alex Lyon, 2018)
Barriers and Enablers
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There are many possible communication barriers a TCM practitioner may face, from cultural barriers to language barriers (O’Toole, 2016). By identifying the barriers early and addressing them, I hope to be able to make my clients feel more at ease.
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Figure 1. Sample of Pocket-Sized Card
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Most of the Chinese herbs and herbal mixtures are referred to by their Chinese name. Clients may sometimes ask for explanation on what the herbs are and what are their functions, whether for their personal knowledge or as requested by their attending Western doctor (Cheng, Ke, Lee, Wu & Ho, 2015). I would avoid using medical terms to describe the effects of the herbs to clients. However, to communicate the function of some herbs to Western doctors is another matter. I would thus consider giving out pocket-sized card to clients, which includes information on the herb’s common and scientific name as well as the herb’s functions in TCM and biomedical terms. The clients can then pass the card to their Western doctor. An example of the pocket-sized card is shown in Figure 4.
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It is also important for TCM practitioners understand the client’s diet preferences when prescribing Chinese herbs. There are several animal-derived herbs such as Tu Bie Chong, Bie Jia (Wu, 2005). I will ask the client what they are able to eat and what they avoid due to cultural or personal reasons.
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References
Cheng, Y. L., Ke, J. X., Lee, D. S., Wu, Q., & Ho, K. (2015). Communication tool to describe use of traditional herbal
Chinese medicine to Western medicine physicians. [Special feature]. British Columbia Medical Journal, 57(8), 356-357.
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Communication Coach Alex Lyon. (2018). Communication barriers [Video]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsl468Hwr4o.
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O’Toole, G. (2016). Communication: Core interpersonal skills for health professionals (3rd ed.). Chatswood. NSW:
Elsevier Australia.
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Wu, J.-N. (2005). An illustrated Chinese materia medica. New York: Oxford University Press.
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ABOUT
Me
I'm Christine Yen. I currently study Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at Western Sydney University.