Navigating Communication in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Strategies, Challenges, and Pedagogical Implications
摘要
This chapter explores the unique role of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) within Hong Kong’s dual healthcare system, which integrates Western medical practices with traditional Chinese values. Focusing on the nature of TCM communication, it highlights the holistic, patient-centred approach that characterizes practitioner-patient interactions in this context. By examining diagnostic processes, rapport-building strategies, and language use in consultations, the chapter underscores the importance of cultural sensitivity and personalized care in fostering trust and patient satisfaction. Additionally, it discusses the pedagogical implications of teaching TCM communication, emphasizing the need for training programmes that bridge the gap between Western medical frameworks and TCM practices. Drawing on case studies and ethnographic analyses, this chapter provides insights into how effective communication enhances TCM’s therapeutic outcomes, offering a model for integrative and culturally attuned healthcare practices.