Acupuncture Continuing Education

Ethics In Acupuncture #5

Sample of Course Materials

confucian temple acupuncture

Confucian Temple (Taichung, Taiwan)

 

 

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Sample #1

“I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.” — Lao Tzu

Confucianism

Basic principles of medial ethics have their their roots in ancient traditional Chinese medicine. Daquing Zhang and Zhifan Cheng note in "Medicine Is a Humane Art: The Basic Principles of Professional Ethics in Chinese Medicine":

The value system of medical ethics in China has a long tradition that can be traced back to ancient times. Those values are reflected in the (Confucian) precept that "medicine is a humane art." That is, medicine is not only a means to save people's lives, but also a moral commitment to love people and free them from suffering through personal caring and medical… [1]

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1. Zhang, Daqing, and Zhifan Cheng. "Medicine is a humane art the basic principles of professional ethics in Chinese medicine." The Hastings Center Report 30, no. 4 (2000): S8-S12.


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Sample #2

Hippocratic Oath

Hippocrates (460–375 BCE) was an ancient Greek physician. Authorship of the Hippocratic Oath, an ancient ethical code, is attributed to Hippocrates. To this day, classical and contemporary versions of the Hippocratic Oath are included in some medical school graduation ceremonies. By today’s standards, there are several aspects of the Hippocratic Oath that are considered significantly controversial. The following is a translation of the Hippocratic Oath from the original Greek by Francis Adams in 1849:

I swear by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius, and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation—to reckon him who taught me…


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Sample #3

Taoism & Buddhism

taoist temple garden

Taoist Temple Garden at Weibao Mountain (Yunnan, China)

 

In addition to Confucianism, Chinese medicine ethics has its roots in both Taoist and Buddhist values:

Taoism and Buddhism also influenced the development of medical ethics in China, themselves vigorously promoting the practice of medicine as a means of doing good. Taoism favors life and resents death. It regards being alive as the happiest thing and pursues immortality. Taoists pursue long life in either of two ways: by taking special medicines made from plants, animals, or minerals and by doing good deeds that benefit others. Five commandments are at the heart of Taoist religious codes. A Taoist is forbidden to... [2]

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2. Zhang, Daqing, and Zhifan Cheng. "Medicine is a humane art the basic principles of professional ethics in Chinese medicine." The Hastings Center Report 30, no. 4 (2000): S8-S12.

 

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Sample #4

Chinese Medicine Physicians

A famous 7th century physician, Sun Simiao, wrote a treatise entitled “On the Absolute Sincerity of Great Physicians.” This was a section of the work entitled The Important Prescription Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold. The treatise is sometimes referred to as the Chinese Hippocratic Oath, although there are significant differences between the Hippocratic Oath and the values documented by Sun Simiao. The treatise “requires the physician to develop first a sense of compassion and piety, and then to make a commitment to try to save every living creature, to treat every patient on equal grounds, and to…

 

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Sample #5

Fairness

It is maintained by many scholars of Chinese medicine that patients deserve fair and equitable access to healthcare and quality treatments. In this respect, patients must be treated with equal respect. The concept that patients deserve equal access to care has historical roots in Chinese medicine:

Chen Shih-kung (AD1605) also presented the similar idea of treating high or low, rich or poor equally. He particularly mentioned that prostitutes should be treated in the same way as daughters from a good family, which entails both equality and respect. Moreover: "Medicine should be given free to the poor. Extra financial help should be extended to the destitute patients; if possible..." [3]

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3. Tsai, D. F. "Ancient Chinese medical ethics and the four principles of biomedical ethics." Journal of medical ethics 25, no. 4 (1999): 315-321.

 

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Sample #6 

Medical Records

Acupuncturists are required by law to maintain medical records for several years in many states, provinces, and countries. Additional requirements for medical record retention may be made by malpractice insurance carriers. Health insurance companies may also require…

 

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