99652 Chinese Herbal Formula 2
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 99651 Chinese Herbal Formula 1
Description
This subject continues and expands on the theory of Chinese herbal formula taught in 99651 Chinese Herbal Formula 1, including the formulation, composition and combination of appropriate individual medicinal substances and their clinical applications. The subject also continues to develop the theoretical basis of the various preparations of Chinese medicinals for dispensing known as pao zhi (??). Pao zhi theory, first introduced in 99567 Introduction to Chinese Herbal Medicine, is taken up in 99651 Chinese Herbal Formula 1 and this subject to extend the student's understanding and application of pao zhi for the safe preparation and administration of Chinese medicinal substances.
In Chinese medicine, fang ji (??) is the term for prescription medications or formulas. Fang (?) refers to the competency of making formulations in a written form, and ji (?) means medicinal preparations. Fang ji is the practice of the skill itself, formulas that are put into practice. In this subject, students learn and apply fang ji principles to develop appropriate medicinal prescriptions in a written form, and to practice their skills in preparing, modifying and administering Chinese formulas in the clinical setting.
The subject guides students in their formulation of Chinese herbal prescriptions through a series of learning activities that practice their TCM diagnostic reasoning and treatment method planning. Chinese medicine's treatment methods are the link between diagnosis and the selection of appropriate formula strategies and individual medicinal modifications. Effective Chinese herbal formula treatments are developed through accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. On that basis the treatment response, the formulation of medicinal substances with appropriate preparations and dosages, is carefully constructed according to the conventions and structures of Chinese prescription writing.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Differentiate the major formula categories to correctly apply Chinese herbal formulas and individual medicinals according to TCM pattern identification and treatment strategies |
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| 2. | Explain the structure of Chinese herbal formulas and the synergistic roles that individual and paired medicinals achieve within the formulas |
| 3. | Evaluate Chinese herbal formula practice through the knowledge of the theories that underpin and enable the safe application of Chinese herbal formula and dispensing, including known precautions and contraindications |
| 4. | Explain the relevant theories and principles of Chinese medicinal substance processing methods (pao zhi), in terms of treatment strategies and clinical applications |
| 5. | Identify the main forms of formula preparation and, with patient care in mind, explain appropriate herbal formulae administration and dosage, including actions to take in the event of an unexpected reaction |
| 6. | Recognise and utilise common Chinese–English terms used in prescribing, dispensing and the general practice of Chinese herbal formula construction and methods of administration |
| 7. | Apply TCM pattern differentiation accurately in order to select appropriate Chinese herbal formula according to the bian zheng lun zhi (identify patterns to determine treatment) model |
| 8. | Apply knowledge of Chinese herbal formula and clinical reasoning to critically evaluate case notes and determine the appropriate treatment principle and prescription |
| 9. | Apply group work and communication skills to reflect, evaluate and give feedback in peer learning activities |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Apply: Demonstrate expertise in Chinese medicine’s classical and contemporary theories, research, and clinical health practices to support patient health and wellbeing. (1.1)
- Apply: Develop effective problem-focused assessment skills to differentiate diseases and patterns, and apply clinical reasoning to make diagnostic and therapeutic judgements. (2.1)
- Apply: Demonstrate the integration and application of professional health care knowledge and clinical skills to safely and ethically practise Chinese medicine. (3.1)
- Apply: Demonstrate the ability to make clinical judgements and decisions based on available evidence and practice. (4.1)
- Apply: Demonstrate a high level of writing, reading and speaking in English and an ability to engage constructively in conversation with health stakeholders, including community, other health disciplines, and policy makers. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Disciplinary Knowledge
Understanding, discriminating, and the application of Chinese herbal formulas' treatment strategies to diagnostic illness patterns (Chinese medicine's descriptions of pathological disorders), learned and practiced throughout lectures and workshops.
The knowledge and its appropriate application are assessed through formative (online quizzes, reflective case history and workshop activities) and summative assessment (final exam) to ensure authentic learning for students.
Research, inquiry and critical thinking
a) Problem solving
The ability to take wider view when diagnosing and prescribing appropriate Chinese herbal medicines for a medical condition. This is developed through clinical case study exercises designed to challenge conceptual thinking beyond theoretical information through a problem based learning model.
b) Critical thinking
You will also develop the ability to apply lateral thinking in analysing the patho-mechanisms (bing ji) of TCM diagnosis. Students will understand the context of medical conditions when critically reasoning the patho-mechanisms (bing ji). Reflecting on the solid foundations of your TCM theories, you will effectively assess medical conditions and apply appropriate Chinese herbal prescriptions.
Professional, ethical and social responsibility
The ability to acquire, develop, employ and integrate a range of technical, practical and professional skills, in appropriate and ethical ways within a professional context, autonomously and collaboratively and across a range of disciplinary and professional areas. Specifically, the professional knowledge and skills required to be a registered practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine are practiced and applied.
Reflection, Innovation, Creativity
The ability to reflect, think critically, and engage with feedback will be developed via assessments 1, 2 and 3 as well as workshop activities. These activities are all designed with the intention to promote continued intellectual development through feedback and an active learning environment.
Students are required to apply knowledge learnt and critical thinking, and are encouraged to reflect on the reasoning behind decisions made by both themselves (self- reflection) and also reflect upon insights provided by practitioners with industry experience.
Communication skills
Effective communication skills will be developed through the subject through assessments and workshop activities. Group communication skills will be developed specifically through group based workshop activities and the reflective case history.
Teaching and learning strategies
Lectures: A printed manual, the Concise Chinese Herbal Prescriptions, Book 2, supports the lectures. You will engage in many levels of TCM theory and practice, involving the knowledge you've gained in the first two years of your course, and in 99651 Chinese Herbal Formula 1. You must prepare in advance for class each week to enhance your learning experience using UTSOnline learning resources, such as the paozhi information sheets and single herb category tables. The text book and recommended reference books are valuable resources to be used in conjunction with the lectures. In the lectures you will gain important context through examples, case studies, and comparing and contrasting different Chinese herbal formulas. You will draw upon all your experience when recalling and developing these concepts. The manual provides minimal text with empty spaces, so that you take notes during the lectures. This is designed to promote active learning and engagement. In particular, many of the [Bing Ji Analysis] sections are deliberately left blank, to provide you an opportunity to formulate your own notes. To gain the most from your preparation and learning you will practice writing out the [Bing Ji Analysis] before lectures and after your workshop classes.
Attending lectures is crucial to a full understanding not only the subject content, but also the overall TCM herbal practice.
2 hours of lecture weekly.
Workshops:
Workshops will consist of weekly collaborative small group tasks which contribute to the marks for assessment task 3.
Specifically you will work collaboratively in small groups to work through and discuss questions and case studies, and engage in reflective exercises. The workshop facilitators will rotate amongst the groups. Tutorial topics and questions including clinical case studies will be uploaded on UTSOnline in plenty of time for you to prepare. You will work in groups and draw upon previous lecture material, recommended texts, online resources, and self-directed learning to prepare answers for the workshop questions and case studies prior to class. Answers to these activities will be discussed in class and feedback given by the workshop facilitator. These activities will be peer assessed and all students will be required to give peer reflective feedback to other groups on how to improve either their answers or the communication of the answers. Marks will be allocated based on completeness and accuracy of information as well as your ability to fairly assess and give constructive peer feedback.
Feedback will be provided in the classroom and workshops from Week 1. Formative and summative, verbal feedback will be provided by both convenors (facilitators and lecturer) and peers
Content (topics)
1. The scope of the study of Chinese herbal formulas.
- Reinforcing the information of single herbs studied in 99567
- The structures of Chinese herbal formula.
- The concepts of diseases and TCM Patterns.
- The concepts of Bing Ji, signs and symptoms in determining the TCM Patterns.
- The composition and herbal combination within a formula.
- The actions and functions of the formula, including the individual Chinese herbs.
- The contraindications of various Chinese herbal formulas and herbs.
- Clinical application and selection of formula according to Pattern Identification and Bing Ji analysis.
2. Formulas of the following therapeutic categories to be studied in this subject include:
- Formulas that stabilise and bind
- Formula that calm the Shen
- Formula that regulates Qi
- Formula that regulates Blood
- Formula that expels Wind
- Formula that treats Dryness
- Formula that expels Dampness
- Formula that treats Phlegm
- Formula that relieves food stagnation
- Formula that treats carbuncles
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Assessment Task 1: Online Quizzes
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1.0 Disciplinary knowledge 2.0 Research, Inquiry and Critical thinking 3.0 Professional, ethical and social responsibility 4.0 Reflection, Innovation, Creativity |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 3, 7 and 8 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1 and 4.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Criteria: | Accuracy of answers in accordance to the content covered in the lectures and workshops. |
Assessment task 2: Assessment Task 2: Reflective Case History
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1.0 Disciplinary Knowledge 2.0 Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking 3.0 Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility 4.0 Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5.0 Communication |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Reflection |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 4000 words |
| Criteria: |
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Assessment task 3: Final Exam
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1.0 Disciplinary Knowledge 2.0 Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking 3.0 Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility 4.0 Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5.0 Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Criteria: | Accuracy of answers in accordance to the content covered in the lectures and workshops. |
Minimum requirements
You must attend minimum 80 % attendance and participation of tutorial sessions during the semester.
Group Reflective Feedback sessions are compulsory.
An X grade (fail), regardless of the final mark, will be awarded where the minimum requirements are not met.
Required texts
1. Yang, CX (2016), Concise Chinese Herbal Prescriptions, Book2, UTS, MMB, Sydney: UTS.
Recommended texts
- Scheid, V. Bensky, D. & Barolet, R. (2009), Formulas and Strategies, Washington: Eastland Press.
- Chen, John K. & Chen, Tina T. (2009), Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications, CA: Art of Medicine Press.
- English-Chinese Collegiate Textbooks in Traditional Chinese medicine for Institutions of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Higher Learning, Formulas of Traditional Chinese Medicine, edited by Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (1998), Beijing: Academy Press.
References
- Bensky, D. & Barolet, R. (1986), Chinese Herbal Medicine – Materia Medica, Washington: Eastland Press.
- Chen, John K. & Chen, Tina T. (2004), Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, CA: Art of Medicine Press.
- Zhao, Zhongzhen & Xue Changli (2007), Illustrated Chinese Medicinal Formulae – Lecture Notes, Chung Hwa Book Company.