Assessing the proficiency of a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner:
1. Check whether the diagnosis and treatment process is standardized.
- Four diagnostic methods should be comprehensively considered:
conclusions should not be drawn solely based on pulse diagnosis, but rather the complete process of observation, auscultation and olfaction, inquiry, and palpation should be carried out. Pulse diagnosis of both the left and right hands should be conducted for at least 30 seconds each, while detailed inquiries should be made about lifestyle details such as diet, daily routine, and emotions.
- Clear diagnosis:
It can straightforwardly explain the etiology and pathogenesis, as well as the treatment approach, clearly indicating what should be adjusted first and what later, rather than just using vague expressions like "you have heavy dampness".
2. assess whether the medication philosophy is pragmatic and the prescriptions are concise:
- For common conditions：
the number of herbs is usually within 15, without resorting to prescribing dozens of herbs haphazardly to pad out the prescription. This avoids prescribing a wide range of herbs just to make up the numbers.
- The prescription period is reasonable:
the initial prescription is generally no longer than 7 days, and for emergencies, adjustments will be made based on feedback within 3-5 days. It is not the case of prescribing a month's or two's worth of medication right away.
"Do not abuse expensive medicines": Prioritize using affordable medicinal herbs to replace high-priced ones. For example, use turmeric and acacia flowers instead of semen ziziphi spinosae, without deliberately promoting expensive medicinal herbs to inflate prices.
3. the actual therapeutic effect and the speed of improvement observed during follow-up should be reasonable:
- for acute conditions such as the common cold and diarrhea, significant relief should be achieved with 2-3 prescriptions; for chronic conditions, symptoms will gradually improve within 1-2 weeks, and there will not be no change after long-term medication.
"Proactive prescription adjustment based on symptoms":
- During follow-up visits, the prescription will be adjusted promptly based on your symptom feedback, ensuring that you won't be required to continuously take the same prescription for several months without any changes.
4. consider word of mouth and medical ethics.
- Patient word of mouth is authentic:
there are many repeat customers who have been recommended by friends and family, which is more reliable than relying on "famous doctors" packaged by advertisements. Doctors who are preferred by friends and family for medical treatment are more guaranteed to be of high quality.
- Positive attitude in diagnosis and treatment:
patiently answering questions without being perfunctory, and proactively advising on dietary restrictions, adjustments to daily routines, and other lifestyle considerations, rather than just prescribing medication and letting you go.
- Do not exaggerate the efficacy:
We will not promise to "cure chronic diseases with just a few prescriptions", but will objectively inform customers of the conditioning period, and will not create anxiety by promoting high-priced health products.
5. Avoid common misconceptions.
- Don't blindly worship age and titles. Young traditional Chinese medicine practitioners may also have solid theories and rich experience, while older doctors may not necessarily be qualified if they do not improve their medical skills.
- Don't easily believe in the promotion of "secret ancestral formulas" or "cures for all diseases". Professional traditional Chinese medicine practitioners will clearly explain the logic behind medication and will not use "secret formulas" as an excuse to avoid differentiation of symptoms.
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