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The Training Centre of the Hospital provides frequently various training courses on different subjects on Traditional medicine (acupuncture practice, basic theory on TM, massage therapy, cupping and moxibusion…) to meet all demand of international students. Recently, six of Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine’s fourth-year interns attended such a course at the Hospital and they were impressed by quality of the training course they had. The following is their comment published on CCNM’s magazine, issue no.1 – 2008 entitled “Vietnam initiative: Offers excellent externship opportunity”
In August, six of CCNM’s fourth-year interns, along with supervisor Arvin Jenab, ND, traveled to Hanoi, Vietnam, to work fo a month at the National Hospital of Traditional Medicine. This clinical externship experience provided the students with an incredible learning opportunity and exposure to new and innovative traditional medical protocols. In addition, the patients in the host community benefited enormously from the care provided.
“The hospital we were at is such an amazing model for integrative health care.” Says Christine Nguyen, one of the interns who traveled to Vietnam. “All the doctors who work there are trained both in modern medicine and traditional medicine, and do an exceptional job at melding to the two in the best interests of the patient.”
The National Hospital of Traditional Medicine (NHTM) is a leading hospital of traditional medicine and a World Health Organization (WHO) collaborating centre. It provides support and guidance to 53 traditional medical hospitals nationwide.
Interns spent three hours each morning visiting a wide range of patients in the hospital and participated in interwiewing, assessing and diagnosing patients. Often, the departement heads themselves guided the students and facilitated their learning. The format was similar to an internship that medical students would undergo in a hospital setting; they rotated through various departements, received focused training, and then applied their knowledge and clinical skills to real patients.
In the aftenoon, interns spent two to three hours discussing cases and learning the theory of traditional Asian medicine. These lecture and discussions enhanced interns’understanding of the traditional Asian medicine approach ti diagnosing and treating specific diseases, providing a framework for their clinical work with patients.
“Patients at the hospital are given really top-notch care” says Nguyen. “They can feel confident that they’re getting the best of both worlds, both modern and traditional, in terms of their treatment.”
Spending an entire month in Vietnam was a unique opportunity for any student wishing ti delve deeper into the art and pratice of Traditional Asian Medicine theory and pratice. The training program at the NHTM meets the standards employed for the training of naturopathic doctors at CCNM. “Not only did it provide exposure to a wide range of pathologies not commonly seen here in Toronto, such as chronic thrombo-arteritis obliterans, but it shed new light on common pathologies such as diabetes, insomnia, infertility and hypertension,” explains Nguyen.
In addition, daily discussion of Asian herbs as well as a full day in the herbal dispensary sorting and watching the decoction of herbal formulations allowed the students a hands-on introduction to Eastern herbs not taught at CCNM.
“The most intriguing realization for me was seeing how well-trained we are at CCNM in our TCM theory and pratice,” added Nguyen. “The National Hospital of Traditional Medicine has been training hundreds of students, nurses, doctors and practitioners from Vietnam, Switzerland, United States, India, Germany and now Canada. The doctors who worked closely with us noted to us that they were impressed by our training and knowledge.”
“While there is always room to grow, I left Vietnam confident in knowing that I have gained a valuable TAM (traditional Asia medicine) education, rooted in a strong theoretical and practical foundation. Despite the differences, whether it’s using tube-guided or free hand needling techniques, that foundation is strong, valuable and transferable in Canada, in Vietnam and elsewhere in the world.”
For more information about the CCNM externship, contact Arvin Jenab, ND, at arvinjenab@hotmail.com
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