Chinese Herbal Medicine

This course is designed for students of our Postgraduate Diploma course who want to develop their skills to MSc level. Graduates are granted full practitioner status. Accreditation of prior learning (APL) will determine the precise details of an applicant's course.

Over the last few years the demand for Chinese herbal medicine in the UK has grown considerably. The herbal profession in the UK is about to be regulated which will further reinforce this positive growth and development. Now is an excellent time to study this fascinating subject and take part in the emergence of the newly-regulated profession. We have been offering training in patent herbal remedies and Chinese herbs since 1994. Building on this valuable experience we have now devised a new learning structure (subject to validation) providing students with a comprehensive and flexible study package to suit a variety of circumstances.

The MSc is the third of a set of three available courses which can be taken individually or in combination.

Our flexible study programme offers two routes into the MSc. The first follows on naturally on from the postgraduate diploma and is a taught MSc, based on clinical practice. The second route is for
existing practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine looking for a goodquality MSc that will be relevant
and valuable to their clinical work

Postgraduate diploma graduates spend a significant amount of time within the College clinic, treating
patients under supervision. During this clinical training, you’ll be taught further research skills and guided
towards the development of a research proposal based on an aspect of a patient’s treatment. Upon successful completion of the clinical stage you will work on your clinical research project in the College clinic or your own practice, under supervision.

Existing practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine with a diploma or equivalent qualification are guided
through a top-up stage before embarking on the masters. By this route it is possible to complete the
MSc in one year. Your research proposal can be drawn from clinical experience gained in your practice.

Whichever the route, graduates will be able to independently, safely and effectively prescribe individualised
herbal formulae for their patients.

Programme modules
Research methods in clinical practice

You will be encouraged to develop a problem-solving and researchminded approach to your practice.
We will teach you how to implement different research methods and to
analyse research papers effectively. You will be required to research and reflect on patients and conditions that you have seen in the clinic, and within your own practice. You will be asked to develop your clinical research work in a specialised area and formulate a research proposal based on this.

The modules culminate in the submission of a dissertation and poster presentation.

Module content The use of ICT for literature search and the retrieval and critical review of information; identification of appropriate and relevant research methodology for a case study or case series, together with a presentation linked to the clinical programme and of a standard suitable for publication in a
professional journal; the identification of literature relevant to the research area; clinical practice in all its aspects – taking and recording case histories, examination, diagnosis and formulation of the treatment priorities, formulae and strategy according to an integrated practice of TCM and CMS (conventional medical sciences), application of appropriate treatment techniques, including adjunctive
techniques such as acupuncture; the Codes of Professional Conduct and Safe Practice of the RCHM are used as a basis for discussion of legal, ethical and practice issues affecting the student; integration of
the best practice of TCM and conventional medicine in the interests of the patient, including recognition and action on the warning signs and symptoms of seriousdisease and the application of emergency
first aid and acupuncture procedures; case management, making use of all professional, practical, communications and other key skills; self and peer assessment and evaluation of progress, including recognition and identification of personal and professional learning needs, the use of self-reflection in the creation of personal development plans; clinical reflection, review, research and audit, data collection and recording

Clinical research project

Students are involved in clinical work from the very beginning of this study programme: during the postgraduate certificate they are asked to prescribe from the given range of classical pre-prepared formulae, during the postgraduate diploma they spend time carrying out clinical observations, going on to develop their clinical skills by treating patients. This clinical experience continues into the MSc.

As a student you will take part in the diagnosis of each new patient and commit yourself by prescribing a
foundation formula. You will then have an opportunity to research their case history and represcribe, based on your research. This ‘researched’ prescription is also handed in. During the patient’s follow-up visits you will also prescribe, and have a chance to compare your prescription with that of your clinical supervisor.

This opportunity to research and write prescriptions on a regular basis means that by the end of the course you will have written and prepared a wide range of prescriptions to treat a variety of conditions in specific patients. This invaluable experience develops skills and builds confidence.

Module content Application of a particular research method and its use in the critical evaluation of an aspect of the theory and practice of Chinese herbal medicine; research and reflection in a clinical setting; patient care and best practice; critical evaluation of the theoretical, legal, ethical, practical and safety issues involved in Chinese herbal medicine practice; interacting with and managing relationships with patients by enhancing safety, trust and confidence; aspects of managing patients in a clinical situation, including serious presenting conditions and emergencies; comparison and appraisal of complex diagnostic skills and solutions, treatment principles, treatments and treatment strategies