Prof. Dr. Ben Yeo LUC, GUC
Malaysia
MOH certified TCM Practitioner
MOH Certified Malay Medicine Practitioner
Reporting Topic
Body Pain and internal medical conditions caused by sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Summary
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is thought to contribute to lower back and leg pain.
Leg pain can be particularly severe and may feel similar to pain caused by sciatica or a herniated disc in the lumbar spine.
The sacroiliac joint is located next to the base of the spine, below the lumbar spine, and above the coccyx (tailbone).
It connects the sacrum (the triangular bone at the base of the spine) to the pelvis (iliac crest).
Joints typically have the following characteristics: small and strong, reinforced with strong ligaments around them without much movement, transferring all the force from the upper body to the pelvis (hips) and legs acting as a shock-absorbing structure.
The most common symptoms in patients are low back pain and the following sensations in the lower extremities: pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, pelvic/buttock pain, buttock/groin pain, unsteady feeling in the legs (bending, giving in), restless sleep patterns, sitting posture Confusion (inability to sit for long periods of time, sitting on one side), pain from sitting to standing.
Causes and Risk Factors
Although it is not known exactly how the pain is caused, it is thought that changes in normal joint motion may be the culprit in sacroiliac joint pain.
The source of this pain may be caused by any of the following:
Excessive movement (hypermobility or instability)
Pain usually occurs in the lower back and/or buttocks and may radiate to the groin area.
In the case of having too little movement In daily life (i.e. lack of mobility or immobility): Pain usually occurs on one side of the lower back or hip and can radiate down the leg.
The pain usually lasts above the knee, but sometimes the pain extends to the ankle or foot.
This pain is similar to sciatica (or pain that radiates down the sciatic nerve) and is caused by radiculopathy.
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction not only causes limb pain but also indirectly causes various internal medical illnesses.
This special report is not a research report but a sharing based on my years of clinical experience. Through this presentation I hope to learn from experts and scholars with your kind feed back.
Zhu Lixin
Singapore
Dr.
Reporting Topic
The Essentials of Neigong Yijinjing Tuina
Summary
TCM Speciality Skill Neigong Yijinjing Tuina is a set of manipulative therapy techniques collate and summarize by the author during Covid-19 lockdown period, when the author unable to travel and socialize. The author has settled down and studied his past years of exercise and clinical experience, and also read through many academic thesis and articles, and finally concluded and finalized this set of manipulation techniques.
Neigong Yijinjing Tuina was first launched in Singapore in 2021, and a total of six training courses were held. Through the joint discussion and improvement of core students, the technique was finally summarized.
Through the clinical application of the author and several students, it was found that it has good curative effect, high safety, easy to learn and master.
We have now summarized our clinical experience of this Neigong Yijinjing Tuina into this paper, and hope to promote it to more people.
Tiejun Tang
United Kingdom
Professor
Reporting Topic
Common precancerous lesions and TCM treatment in the UK
Summary
Cancer is the main killer that endangers human health. Cancer does not occur suddenly. Most cancers evolve gradually based on precancerous lesions. Timely detection of precancerous lesions and active treatment of precancerous lesions can block their development into cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine has unique therapeutic effects on various types of precancerous lesions. This study made a detailed summary of the experience of treating precancerous lesions with traditional Chinese medicine.
Reginaldo Filho
Brazil
President of Faculdade EBRAMEC
Reporting Topic
One Needle Therapy for Shoulder Pain
Summary
Shoulder pain is a common clinical complaint which impairs daily life activities and also worsens quality of life, affecting people from all ages with a higher prevalence on people over 50 years. Acupuncture is an effective and proven treatment for different kinds of pain and throughout the history different methods have been applied for the treatment of shoulder pain. Very few studies have been conducted with a Brazilian population which might have specific characteristics.
Benjamin WU
Canada
President
Reporting Topic
Skillful Use of Acupuncture Manipulation Techniques as an Important Means to Improve Clinical Efficacy
Summary
Wu Binjiang, Professor, R.TCMP, Ph.D. Supervisor, President of Ontario College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Vice President of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, Vice President of the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies, Chairman of the Board of TCM Acupuncture Inheritance Committees of WFAS, Vice president of the Educational Instruction Committee of WFCMS. Professor Wu was a former disciple of world-renowned acupuncture expert Wang Xuetai, TCM Qigong expert Jiao Guorui, and the representative inheritor of Intangible Cultural Heritage TCM Acupuncture, Professor Zhang Jin. Professor Wu has laid his main research in the field of acupuncture techniques, Qigong, insomnia, uterine blood, infertility, and mental illness; he had conducted in-depth research in the development strategy for TCM overseas and TCM education. Professor Wu is the associate editor of the second edition of《针灸大成校释》Zhen Jiu Da Cheng Jiao Shi and had published more than 300 academic articles. Professor Wu invented a unique TCM Tuina massage method named Wu’s Head Massage; this massage method has become more and more popular in the TCM industry and Professor Wu’s book Wu’s Head Massage has been published in English, Chinese, Hungarian, and French.
Dr Jack Fu
USA
Tai Chi Martial Arts Doctor—Founder of Emei “Qi Acupuncture”
President of the American Institute of Martial Arts and Integrative Medicine
Reporting Topic
Qi Acupuncture" Practice and Treatment Combination, Quick Pain Relief and Tai Chi Fasting Health
Summary
Abstract: Qi acupuncture is a new method of practice and treatment combination to treat pain and other diseases with or without needles.
Head, neck, shoulders, waist, legs, knees, ankles, feet pain in each part within 3 minutes to open the Qi points, immediate pain relief method. Understand what Qi is, how to manipulate Qi to immediately help body pain, the rules and positions of Qi points in various parts, how to use the least painful method to treat pain.
Practice Tai Chi Qigong to strengthen your body, the world champion teaches you authentic Yang Tai Chi, let you know what Tai Chi internal strength is, how to practice, how to use
Introduce fasting health, how to quickly and thoroughly detoxify and lose weight, let all the functions of the body restart, at least how to lose weight immediately without hunger and pain.
Yemeng Chen
USA
DR.
Reporting Topic
Pangolin: You Should Know about It as Practitioners of Herbal Medicine
Summary
The presentation will introduce background on wildlife protection, including regulation by CITES and laws in China and the US, particularly as it relates to endangered animal species and their use as medicinal materials. Numerous media reports have shown that illegal trafficking is rampant for endangered animal species, especially pangolins, and Chinese medicine has been blamed and stigmatized. So it is important to know the declining of pangolin resources because of overexploitation, habit destruction, alien species intrusion, and genetic deterioration.
Pangolin, known as Chuan Shan Jia (Manitis Squama), firstly recorded as a materia medica in Separate Recording from Famous Physician (Ming Yi Bie Lu) in Jin Dynasty (266 – 420) which was classified as a Lower Category. Materia Medica by Ri Hua Zi (Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao) in Five Dynasties (907 - 960) stated that it is “not a regular using and not a necessary using material medica”. In 1578, Li Shizhen mentioned that “Its meat is poisonous so not recommend to eat……the flavor and taste in bad odor so it is better not using”. (Compendium of Materia Medica, Ben Cao Gang Mu). In the past decades, Chuan Shan Jian had been used for cancer patients since it has functions of activating blood circulation to remove stasis. It was also applied to treat lactation improvement and menstrual period regulation.
It is important for herbal medicine practitioners to understand not to using Chuan Shan Jia because of wildlife protection. The resources of substitute will be provided such as E Shu (Curcumae Rhizoma) for breaking blood stasis and softening the mass for tumor, Wang Bu Liu Xing (Vaccariae Semen) for lactation improvement, and Yi Mu Cao (Leonuri Herba) for activation blood and beneficial to menstruation.
As practitioners of herbal medicine, we need to act proactively for wildlife protection especially those for medicinal use.
(Compendium of Materia Medica, Compendium of Materia Medica). Chuanshan Jian has been used by cancer patients for decades because of its ability to activate blood circulation and remove blood clots. It is also used to treat lactation improvement and menstrual cycle regulation.
It is important for practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine to understand not to use Sichuan beetles to protect wildlife. We provide substitute resources such as Curcuma to break bleeding and soft swelling, Wangbuliuxing to clear breasts, and Motherwort to activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis. Good for menstruation.
As practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine, we need to take active actions to protect wild animals, especially medicinal wild animals.
Yu Funian
Hungary
Chief Physician、Professor
Reporting Topic
Reflections On The Inheritance of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Summary
This article summarizes the current situation of overseas TCM transmission. Although the development momentum is good and Chinese traditional Chinese medicine practitioners have made great achievements in their staying countries, it is also worrying that as time goes by, these Chinese traditional Chinese medicine practitioners will withdraw from the stage. For various reasons, today's young and middle-aged traditional Chinese medicine practitioners do not have high aspirations to develop abroad. , so talents can only be cultivated locally. However, the policies of countries around the world are different, and the requirements of traditional Chinese medicine are also different, so the level of TCM is also very different. In view of this, the author put forward suggestions for the inheritance of traditional Chinese medicine and discussed them with colleagues.
Chan Yuk Wah
Germany
President,
International Tuina & Manipulative Medical Association Limited
Reporting Topic
Traditional Chinese Medicine Treats Psoriasis
Summary
Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease in which patients experience itching, burning sensation, or dry and cracked skin, with flakes falling off like snowflakes. Although psoriasis is not an infectious disease, it can affect appearance and quality of life, and may cause psychological stress and social distress. Although there is currently no cure, the condition can be effectively controlled through drug treatment.
With the treatment of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, the chance of recurring attacks is reduced, effectively alleviating the patient's condition. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that psoriasis is mainly caused by blood heat, blood stasis or blood deficiency and wind-dryness. The patient has internal heat accumulation that causes blood heat and blood dryness. Blood heat causes wind or blood stasis blocks the meridians, which causes skin rashes when it occurs on the skin. Insufficient blood nutrition leads to blood deficiency that is not enough to moisturize the skin surface, transforming dryness and causing wind. It will cause dryness and itching, resulting in skin scales. Based on clinical experience, when combined with traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, the use of rattan Chinese medicinal materials can have a positive effect on the patient's condition.
Zheng Jian Hua
Australia
Vice President
Reporting Topic
The clinical characteristics and diagnosis and treatment methods of TCM “heat junction bypass flow”
Summary
Through the diagnosis and treatment process of a typical case, the author expounds the clinical characteristics and diagnosis and treatment methods of TCM “heat junction bypass flow”, especially the importance of clear diagnosis for clinical treatment.
Shao Lizhu
Singapore
Professional Manipulative Therapist Association of Singapore、
Dean Of Singapore World Health Management Institute
Reporting Topic
Summary of Clinical Experience in Bone Setting Therapy
Summary
Bone Setting Therapy is an important branch of the Tuina school of traditional Chinese medicine, which is mainly a technique to treat the bone injury of human Musculoskeletal system. Widely used in clinical, with a long history, numerous schools, diverse technologies, clinical efficacy is significant, is one of the most widely spread schools of Tuina. Modern Bone Setting massage, in addition to the treatment of bone fracture and dislocation, is also widely used in the clinical treatment of joint subluxation. Subluxation of joint also name as "bone in wrong position". "Bone in wrong position" (Joint Subluxation) is common disease beside fracture and dislocation in daily clinical practice. The author studied the Bone-Setting Therapy, specifically for "Bone in wrong position" (Joint Subluxation).
Luo Zhanhui
SINGAPORE
Dean Singapore Medical Qigong Research Centre,
Teasurer Bone Setter Alliance
Reporting Topic
The mechanism of Health Qigong Baduanjin in Regulating Hypertension
Summary
Hypertension is a widespread chronic disease globally and a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Baduanjin Qigong, a traditional Chinese exercise, helps regulate hypertension through a series of movements and breathing techniques. This paper explores the specific mechanisms by which Baduanjin regulates hypertension, including its multifaceted impacts on physiological, psychological, and overall health.
In terms of physiological mechanisms, Baduanjin improves blood circulation, regulates the autonomic nervous system, enhances cardiopulmonary function, and balances the endocrine system, all of which contribute to lowering blood pressure. Psychologically, Baduanjin alleviates stress and anxiety, improves mood and sleep quality, and enhances psychological resilience, aiding in blood pressure reduction from a mental health perspective. Overall health benefits include enhanced physical fitness and immunity, promoted metabolism, and harmonized Yin and Yang, ultimately boosting health levels.
Wang WenCheng
Australia
Honorary President Of Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Society of Australia Ltd．
Chinise Physicians
Reporting Topic
Acupuncture Treats Orthopedic Injuries And Miscellaneous Diseases without Leaving The Du Vessel
Summary
As one of the fourteen meridians, the Du Vessel plays an important role in acupuncture treatment in traditional Chinese medicine.
Orthopedic injuries are a common form of pain, including some difficult diseases caused by abnormalities in the Du meridian, which have a serious impact on the patient's quality of life and health. In the process of selecting acupoints based on the pulse to treat such diseases, it was found that the selected positive pulse points are closely related to the operation of the Du meridian and its intersection. Acupuncture at the corresponding acupoints will produce quick and significant effects. Therefore, exploring the special role of Du Vessel in clinical acupuncture point selection is of great significance for improving the therapeutic effect of patients with bone injuries and some difficult and complicated diseases.
Chen Jialin
Singapore
Assistant Secreatary Professional Manipulative Therapist Association of Singapore
Reporting Topic
The Mechanism of Head Therapy Improving Sleep Quality, a Discussion
Summary
Explore the role of head therapy in improving sleep quality and its potential physiological mechanisms. Through a systematic report papers review and analysis, this article discusses the definition and implementation methods of head therapy, as well as its application in regulating sleep disorders. Head therapy, as a traditional treatment method based on traditional Chinese medicine theory, regulates the physiological functions of the human body by stimulating specific acupoints on the head, thereby improving sleep quality.
The focus is on introducing the combination of head therapy and unblocking the Ren and Du meridians, balancing the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, and thereby affecting sleep patterns. Head therapy has a positive effect on improving sleep patterns by regulating cortical activity, autonomic nervous system, and neurotransmitter system. Clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of head therapy in shortening sleep time, reducing nighttime awakenings, and improving sleep efficiency.
The potential value and social significance of head therapy as a non pharmacological treatment in promoting healthy sleep.
Zeng Shizong
Australia
Honorary President Of Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Society of Australia Ltd．
Vice President World Traditional Medicine Forum
Reporting Topic
TCM Clinical Treatment Plans AndTtypical Cases for Stubborn and Difficult Skin Diseases
Summary
Stubborn and difficult skin diseases are clinically chronic skin diseases that have a long course, complex etiology and pathogenesis, long-term recurrence, and are difficult to cure. Such as chronic eczema, chronic skin ulcers, psoriasis, vitiligo, chronic urticaria, chronic tinea pedis, onychomycosis, chronic skin pruritus, etc. Diagnosis and treatment ideas for clinical treatment of stubborn and difficult skin diseases
(1) Diagnosis is based on the combination of disease identification and dialectics, a comprehensive and careful understanding of the condition, and differentiation of priorities;
(2) Pay attention to the relationship between the part and the whole, comprehensively judge the condition, and provide a basis for formulating treatment plans.
(3) Treatment is a combination of internal and external treatments, acupuncture and medicine;
(4) Develop personalized treatment plans based on different physical constitutions, severity of illness and other factors. Focus on analyzing and discussing the diagnosis and treatment ideas of refractory skin diseases by introducing typical clinical cases.
Zou Debiao
Singapore
Dean of International Meridian Therapy Research Centre，
Committee of Bone Setter Alliance (Singapore)
Reporting Topic
The Standard Clinical Operation Techniques Reference of Neigong Yijinjing Tuina
Summary
Neigong Yijinjing Tuina is a manipulative therapy techniques summarized by Dr. Zhu Lixin from his past decades of Qigong practice, clinical experience, and reference from research papers and thesis. We started to promote the skills in Singapore since 2021. After the clinical application on hundreds of cases, it was found to have good efficacy, high safety, easy to master, and duplicate.
We have summarized Neigong Yijinjing Tuina clinical operation techniques into paper, as the clinical reference standard.
Wong Kok Wee
Singapore
Vice Chairman of Professional Manipulative Therapist Association (Singapore)
Reporting Topic
Clinical Experience of Needling at Fengchi and Fengfu Acupoints Combined with Cervical Vertebra Manipulation in the Treatment of Apoplexy Motor Dysfunction, a Summarize
Summary
Apoplexy motor dysfunction belongs to stroke hemiplegia in traditional Chinese medicine, which is the most common disease in acupuncture department. Most patients have different degrees of motor function loss, with high clinical incidence and high disability rate. The author has been engaged in acupuncture treatment of stroke for many years. In recent years, needling of Fengchi and Fengfu acupoints combined with cervical vertebra manipulation has been used to treat post-stroke motor dysfunction with satisfactory clinical results.
Juliana Tjandra
Indonesia
Vice President World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies,
Pengerusi Persatuan Akupunkturis Seluruh Indonesia
Reporting Topic
Enhancing Fertility with Acupuncture in Women to Maximizing the Odds of Pregnancy
Summary
Female infertility. According to traditional Chinese medicine, this symptom occurs mainly due to kidney deficiency and coldness, liver qi stagnation, qi and blood deficiency, phlegm-dampness blockage, uterine coldness and blood coagulation, and dampness-heat blocking the meridians, causing infertility.
The factors of female infertility can be divided into the following types depending on different regions and different causes:
1. Vulvovaginal disorders, 2. Abnormal cervix 3. Abnormalities of the uterus
4. Fallopian tube factors 5. Ovarian factors 6. Other factors
Treatment can include acupuncture, moxibustion, electroacupuncture, auricular acupuncture, etc. Acupuncture therapy is divided into infertility caused by kidney yang deficiency, infertility caused by qi and blood deficiency, and infertility caused by interruption of liver qi. Among the 63 cases of infertility, the success rate was 60 cases (95.28%) and the failure rate was 3 cases (4.72%).
Tian Yan
CHINA
Dean Henan Tian Tian Pediatric Massage Research Centre
Reporting Topic
A Unique Feature of Chinese Medicine - Pediatric Massage
Summary
1. Traditional Chinese medicine pediatric massage is a purely natural and green therapy, which is a priceless treasure that benefits the health of children in China and even the world.
2. Traditional Chinese medicine pediatric massage uses needles and medicines. It is a treasure of traditional Chinese medicine for preventing and treating common pediatric diseases and some infectious, surgical and difficult diseases. (For example, hand, foot and mouth disease, herpangina, adenoid hypertrophy, hernia, tics...etc.).
It has a good effect on the prevention and treatment of nine major system diseases of the human body.
Its great significance lies in the fact that pediatric massage is the embodiment of the big idea of "preventing disease" of traditional Chinese medicine.
3. Call for and advocate the application of traditional Chinese medicine pediatric massage as a world intangible cultural heritage to benefit human health. We are willing to work with colleagues to promote it and make lifelong contributions.
Guo Peiling
Japan
Proffesor ZheJiang Traditional Chinese Medicine University,
Japan Medicine Association,
Kampo Honorary Advisor
Reporting Topic
My opinion after 28 years of practicing Kampo medicine in Japan
Summary
The author has been practicing Kampo medicine in a Japanese hospital for 28 years. He promotes and emphasizes the syndrome differentiation and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine based on the four diagnosis and combination of ginseng and emphasizes the importance of yin and yang theory. He uses the diagnosis and treatment method of "sitting outside and guessing the inside" to achieve obvious effects and win the hearts of patients. appoint. Japanese Kampo granules are based on classic prescriptions such as "Treatise on Febrile Diseases" and "Jin Yi Yao Lue", which are easy to take and have good curative effects. However, most doctors in Japan choose prescriptions based on the names of Western medicine diseases. They ignore the holistic view of traditional Chinese medicine and do not know the importance of the dialectics of viscera, nutrition, health, qi and blood, which leads to confusion in prescribing. Therefore, there will be clinical conflicts with traditional Chinese medicine. . Let me focus on this point.
Maeyama Keihaku
Japan
Acupuncurist
Reporting Topic
Acupuncture cefficacy in treating numerous diseases
Summary
Acupuncture has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating numerous diseases from ancient times to the present day. Based on my extensive experience, acupuncture is effective for central nervous system disorders such as muscular dystrophy, Parkinson's disease, and ALS, and it is also beneficial for eye cancers like macular degeneration. In particular, acupuncture shows extraordinary effects in treating pain. These facts indicate that acupuncture is a highly useful treatment for a wide range of illnesses. I believe in the power of acupuncture and strive to improve the health of my patients.
Qiu Wanguang
China
World Spinal Health Association Of Shanghai
Reporting Topic
Research On Abdominal Vibration Therapy
Summary
Abdominal vibration therapy adheres to the traditional holistic concept of traditional Chinese medicine. The abdomen can reflect the disease of the internal organs or a certain sensory organ. Conversely, abdominal vibration therapy can also be used to adjust the functions of the entire body. This article introduces a relatively representative abdominal vibration therapy - loose vibration method, explains the operation method of loose vibration method, precautions and summarizes the technique.
MOHD ADZHAR BIN ABD LATIF
MALAYSIA
ASSOC. PROF. DR.
Reporting Topic
TRADITIONAL MALAY MEDICINE - POSTNATAL CARE
Summary
Over the centuries before modern medicine was introduced, Malay Traditional Medicine has been instrumental to the community, especially the Malay community in Malaysia as a method of treatment and healthcare that can no longer be denied or refuted on the effectiveness and its benefits.The basis and philosophy of Malay Traditional Medicine is focused on efforts of conserving, preserving and restoring the health of the human body through holistic approach physically and spiritually. There are several branches of practices or sub-modalities recognized under the Malay Traditional Medicine, amongst others are the Malay Postnatal Care. The Local Heritage Wisdom of the Malay Postnatal Care is one of many and still widely practiced despite the society’s rampant modernization. The Malaysian government has already recognized this area of ancestral heritage practice and has placed it together in the mainstream alongside with modern medical practices.The Traditional Malay Postnatal Care provides treatment and therapy after the childbirth for the new mother which traditionally been managed by the Traditional Practitioner or Midwife who used to be called ‘Bidan Kampung’. Usually, the duration of the postpartum period or abstinence is for 44 days to 100 days. The methods and applications involves manipulative, biochemistry and spiritual components. In addition, certain food are forbidden and activities are restricted to avoid complications. The advantages of Malay Postnatal Care are to prevent the occurrence of various complications and diseases caused by childbirth in short term and metabolic disorder in the long run. Further more, this approach will maintain the health holistically that involves physical body, mind and soul in order the enjoy a good quality of life, restore beauty and elegance and longevity. Hopefully, more efforts will be made to integrate the Local Heritage Wisdom into the public healthcare system in managing the healthcare challenges in the world today.
Guo Chunbiao
Itali
Chinese Medicine And Acupuncture for Multiple Sclerosis
Reporting Topic
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis
Summary
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by demyelination of white matter nerve fibers in the central nervous system. The cause of multiple sclerosis is unclear and is related to immunity, viral infection, genetics and other factors. When the causative factors of this disease act on the myelin sheath of central nerve fibers, it induces the body's own immune system to attack and destroy the myelin of central nerve fibers. Sheathing, resulting in damage and loss of myelin sheaths in central nerve fibers. Multiple sclerosis lesions are located in the white matter of the brain and spinal cord. The main clinical manifestations of patients are weakness, diplopia, numbness, paralysis, urinary incontinence, etc. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that multiple sclerosis falls within the scope of treatment for impotence. Internal injuries to the seven emotions, external dampness and heat, fatigue and lust can all damage the internal organs and meridians, resulting in a loss of nourishment for the muscles and meridians, inability to irrigate with menstrual blood, and inability to thrive due to blood deficiency. Acupuncture treatment in traditional Chinese medicine has good functions in regulating the internal organs and coordinating qi and blood. In particular, the new needle therapy of scalp acupuncture and abdominal acupuncture, combined with acupuncture and medicine, can quickly improve the patient's clinical symptoms.
Zijing Hu
South Africa
Associate Professor
Reporting Topic
Promoting professional development through capstone projects in traditional medicine higher education: Students' voices
Summary
There is an urgent need to improve students’ professional development at higher education institutions (HEIs) through appropriate modes of delivery, such as capstone projects. Literature reveals that capstone projects afford a high-impact transformative outcome. However, there is a lack of studies focusing on improving students’ professional development through capstone projects in health sciences at South African HEIs. This study aimed to explore health sciences students’ experiences on capstone projects. The theoretical framework anchored in this study was the Concerned-Based Model of Student Development. The authors employed a qualitative single case study design within an interpretivist paradigm. The research setting was an identified public university in Gauteng province. Six participants were recruited, and data were analysed through thematic analysis proposed by Creswell. Findings from this study highlighted that participants shared ambivalent views and experiences on capstone projects. They believed that capstone projects benefited them and enhanced their learning experiences; therefore, empowering and capacitating them for the world of work. They agreed that capstone projects improved some of their skills and competencies, thus preparing them for the clinical practice. However, participants also expressed challenges in the implementation of capstone projects in their programmes. These primarily focused on the quality of supervision, time constraints, and methodological complexities during the capstone project. This study provides valuable insights into the views and experiences of students regarding capstone projects in health sciences education. Future studies are commended to be conducted with diverse approaches, such as quantitative or mixed methods approaches. .
