University of Technology Sydney

99656 Disease States for Traditional Chinese Medicine 1

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Science: Life Sciences
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 99652 Chinese Herbal Formula 2 AND 99584 Clinical Features of Disease

Description

Disease States for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)-1 is a clinical subject for students to learn integrative knowledge of Western and Chinese medicine for most common diseases in TCM internal medicine. This subject focuses on knowledge and skills of diagnosis with integration of laboratory and radiological findings where relevant, TCM pattern differentiation, and current therapy in Western and Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicines and relevant natural approaches.

In workshop sessions, real clinical cases relevant to the lecture will be provided for student practice, including interview of patients, role-playing in which student plays either practitioner or patient, and study on real cases which are selected from the UTS clinic. Overall, this subject guides students’ study from theoretical knowledge to real clinical practice.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Explain and analyze the disease mechanisms (aetiology and pathology) of various disease states within the categories of Internal Medicine covered in the subject.
2. Correctly diagnose both Chinese medical and western medical disease states and differentiate their TCM patterns.
3. Establish appropriate treatment protocols (acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicines) for these diseases.
4. Communicate clearly to different audiences regarding TCM clinical practices.

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

1. Disciplinary knowledge and its application
This subject provides an interdisciplinary approach by combining a basic review of the human body systems of western biomedicine with a Chinese Medicine (CM) model for differential diagnostics by pattern recognition. This process brings together two medical paradigms thereby highlighting their commonalities and disparities. The process also facilitates identification of diseases which are not amenable to treatment with CM.

2. Inquiry-orientated approach

Case studies are found throughout the workshops and formal assessment processes. The classical CM differential diagnostic process of pattern recognition is addressed by means of an evolving mastery of critical thinking and analysis. This attribute is reinforced consistently throughout all the assessment processes and workshops.

3. Professional skills and their application
Medical ethics is addressed within the requirements for patient privacy as they pertain to the delivery of case presentations. Time management must be exercised within the mandatory time frame allotted to the case oral presentation and of course, CM diagnostics is heavily focused upon as a primary professional skill.

6. Communication skills
Mastery of generic skills linked to audio/visual communication is introduced via mandatory use of PowerPoint for the oral case presentation. Additional to this is development of the art of public speaking as encompassed within the first assessment. Ability to follow directions is incorporated into the PowerPoint presentation and forms part of the marking criteria.

Teaching and learning strategies

Lectures: 2hpw x 11 weeks; Workshops: 2hpw 11 weeks; and one Real Case Presentation

  1. The subject's weekly lectures will provide you with theoretical knowledge relevant to various disease states from both a biomedical and TCM perspective. Before class each week you should review the relevant material and lecture slides in UTSOnline. Your pre-class preparation will allow you to actively participate in lecture class discussion, and to ask and answer questions;
  2. The subject's workshop classes will require that you participate in the discussion of case studies that review and apply the lecture and online pre-class preparation and study materials. In the workshops you will also apply your knowledge of clinical practice and develop skills that are relevant for diseases of the Internal Medicine systems;
  3. The workshop role-play scenarios give you the opportunity to practice your clinical interview skills with your peers, with an emphasis on appropriate practitioner-patient communication for clinical practice;
  4. Finally, you will practise how to communicate and present a case in which you are involved or have observed clinically. You will achieve this through group work and the mandatory use of PowerPoint for your case presentation.

You will have opportunity to receive regular early feedback through your participation in class discussion and learning activities, and through the short quizzes that will be conducted in the workshops. The quizzes will not be graded but your answers will be discussed in the class. The in-class cases and quizzes, and the feedback you receive on your answers and class participation in discussion and group work activities will guide your preparation for the in-class test and final exam.

Content (topics)

In this session, the diseases of CM Internal Medicine will be addressed. The workbook is divided into broad chapters which are covered in the lesson schedule noted below in the table. Following the table is a listing of the specific conditions and diseases covered in the chapters and sorted with respect to the associated syndrome pattern, and/or disease conditions. In simple terms, these broadly relate to the:

  • Classification of diseases
  • Diagnosis and treatment of common CM syndromes (5 syndromes)
  • Common diseases of Internal Medicine systems cross-referenced to the associated biomedical (Western medicine) framework (eg. cardiovascular, neurological, psychiatric, etc)

Assessment

Assessment task 1: In Class Test 1

Intent:

The following Graduate attributes are addressed:

1. Disciplinary Knowledge and its application

2. inquiry-oriented approach

3. Professional skills and their appropriate application
Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2 and 3

This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s):

.0, .0 and .0

Type: Quiz/test
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%
Length:

Exam paper will be deliveried on CANVAS under Modules section. Student should submit the answer sheet within 4 hours though Assigments --> "turnitin"
Criteria:

Correctness of answers

Appropriate diagnostics, pattern differentiation etc. are consistent with the case analysis procedure.

Assessment task 2: Case presentation

Intent:

The following graduate attributes are addressed:

1. disciplinary knowledge and its application

2. inquiry-oriented approach

3. professional skills and their application

6. communication skills
Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2, 3 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s):

.0, .0, .0 and .0

Type: Presentation
Groupwork: Group, individually assessed
Weight: 20%
Length:

12-15 min followed by 5 min discussion.

Criteria:
  • The type of presentation is appropriate for the topic and audience.
  • Information is presented in a logical sequence.
  • The introduction is attention-getting, lays out the problem well, and establishes a framework for the rest of the presentation.
  • Technical terms are well-defined in language appropriate for the target audience.
  • Presentation contains accurate information.
  • Material included is relevant to the overall message/purpose.
  • An appropriate amount of material is prepared, and points made reflect well their relative importance.
  • Speaker maintains good eye contact with the audience and is appropriately animated (e.g., gestures, moving around, etc.).
  • Speaker uses a clear, audible voice.
  • Delivery is poised, controlled, and smooth.
  • Good language skills and pronunciation are used.
  • Visual aids are well prepared, informative, effective, and not distracting.
  • Length of presentation is within the assigned time limits. Information was well communicated.

Assessment task 3: End of session Exam

Intent:

The following Graduate attributes are addressed:

1. Disciplinary Knowledge and its application

2. inquiry-oriented approach
Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2 and 3

This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s):

.0 and .0

Type: Examination
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 50%
Length:

6 hours

Exam paper will be deliveried on Canvas under Modules section. Student can take 6 hours to answer the question and submit the answer sheet through Assigments --> turnitin

Criteria:

Correctness of conclusions

Appropriate diagnostics, pattern differentiation, etc. consistent with the usual case analysis procedure

Minimum requirements

In order to pass this subject :

Students must complete all three assessments

Recommended texts

  • Qu X (2021) Lecture Notes for Disease States 1 (online PDF document).
  • Zuo Y (Ed) (2002). A newly Compiled Practical English-Chinese Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Internal medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Publishing House of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  • Peng B et al (2nd Ed). (2007) Traditional Chinese Internal Medicine: Chinese-English Bilingual Textbooks for International Students of Chinese TCM Institutions. People’s Medical Publishing House

References

  1. Maciocia G. (Ed) (2007). The Practice of Chinese Medicine-the treatment of disease with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Churchill Livingstone.
  2. Bradley J et al. (Ed) (2012) Lecture Notes: Clinical Medicine, 7th Edition. WILEY-BLACKWELL
  3. Kellerman & Bope. (Ed). (2019) Conn’s Current Therapy. Elsevier Inc.