The Taiwan Report

5. AP TRAINING IN TAIWAN, R.0.C.

The quality of AP training in Taiwan varies widely. It ranges from weekend "crash-courses" (which are usually intended as an ongoing part of an integrated study of AP) to formal courses lasting one month to three years. As well as this, one may opt for "self- study" from the humanAP textbooks, with or without formal course work.

Unscrupulous people who attend one or two weekend crash-courses (and who may happen to be medical or vet graduates!) may use this as their "qualification" to practice AP. Poor clinical results by such people brings AP into disrepute and unsuspecting patients suffer as a result of the incompetence of the charlatans. This problem is not confined to Taiwan - it is now an international problem.

Each teaching centre has its own methods of assessing its students but the course content and duration vary widely. Taiwan, as is the case in most other countries, appears to have no standard Examination or Assessment Board at State (National) level to assess and certify the level of competence of AP practitioners. Thus, the level of competence varies from excellent (as observed in the VGH and CMC) to poor.

The content (orientation) of courses varies with the teaching centre. In VGH (Taipei) the course content is mainly "Western" oriented - little emphasis is placed on the ancient traditional concepts of Pulse Diagnosis; Five Phase Laws and Points; the Perverse Causes of Disease etc. Because of its closer ties to traditional medicine, CMC (Taichung) places more emphasis on traditional concepts and on traditional needling techniques (tonification/dispersion etc). However, CMC is also very "Western" oriented in its basic undergraduate medical training. Students from this college understand both Eastern and Western concepts. CARF (Taipei) because its faculty numbers include both "traditional" and "Western" doctors, also teaches the two differing concepts. There are many other centres forAP training in Taiwan, but I have no information on them.

The foregoing three organisations accept foreign medical graduates and vet surgeons on their courses. Students attending any of these courses can expect to have extensive exposure to clinical material, because VGH/CMC have their own (large) clinics, and CARF can provide clinical instruction in co-operation with Taipei hospitals. The cost of tuition depends on the duration of the course. For example, medical or vet graduates (who have already studied basic AP techniques elsewhere) may enrol for a 1-month intensive advanced course, including clinical work, at any of the above 3 centres. The cost of tuition plus lectures notes etc is approximately 1200 US $. Specialised courses (for example in E.N.T. diseases; internal diseases; myofascial pain, etc) can be arranged by negotiation with the Faculty.

The concession to allow vets to attend these courses was granted by CMC and VGH in 1982 on the understanding that the techniques learned there would be used primarily in vet practice, or for research purposes. It is recognised and accepted throughout China, Taiwan, Japan and other Far Eastern countries that knowledge and skill in AP is not confined to medical or traditional doctors. Many people learn it as part of their cultural training in the martial arts, TaiQi, QiGong and other mental and physical disciplines. It is also common that one may have a basic knowledge of AP for self-help, or for use in "First-Aid" in minor problems and for family use, for example, the AP or massage techniques to relieve tension headaches; teething problems in babies; indigestion in children; pulled muscles; tension insomnia etc.

I recommend these courses to vet colleagues who may have the opportunity to take an extended holiday-cum-study trip in a most beautiful country. I would advise them to ask for an outline of the course material (and the fees involved) and to make their reservations in plenty of time. Those interested may contact the AP Dept., VGH, Taipei, the AP Dept., CMC, Taichung or CARF, Box 84-223, Taipei.

Accommodation in Taiwan and travel to and from the course is the responsibility of the candidate but each organisation offers assistance and advice, if required.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My first trip to the Far East was made possible by Drs. Hong Chien Ha and T.C. Hsu of the Committee of the First International Symposium on AP and Moxibustion, Taipei, and by Jen-Hsou Lin of the Committee of the Veterinary AP Seminar, Vet School, Taichung. These men arranged for my travel to and accommodation in Taiwan. Great credit and thanks are due to them for their organisation of the scientific sessions and their fantastic hospitality during my stay, from 14th to 28th November 1982.

My sincere thanks are due to all who helped to make my visit enjoyable and educational; the Taiwan Government, for funding the trip; the organisers of the International Symposium and the Veterinary Seminar, for inviting me; medical colleagues at VGH, Yang Ming Medical College and CARF (Taipei) and CMC (Taichung); vet colleagues, staff and students at the Vet College (Taichung), the Pig Research Institute (Chunan) and the Dept. Animal Husbandry, National Taiwan University (Taipei) for their patience in answering so many questions, and for showing me their skills; to the Tsang brothers for their time, car and generosity; to my friend and colleague, Jen-Hsou Lin, who made it all possible; his wife Li Fei, who fed me, and to their little girls I Chen and I Chien, who made the red-haired barbarian laugh on Yang Ming mountain.