News

The School of Chinese Medicine (SCM) at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has secured a grant from the Chinese Medicine Development Fund (CMDF) to lead a landmark study on the “Core competencies for Chinese medicine practitioners in Hong Kong”. In collaboration with the Schools of Chinese Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong and The University of Hong Kong, SCM will spearhead the development of a core competency framework for the profession.

In an era of rising public expectations, the commissioning of Hong Kong’s first Chinese Medicine Hospital, the growing impact of technologies and AI, and the emergence of novel diseases, continual enhancement of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pedagogy and assessment is necessary to navigate the growing complexity of the healthcare environment. Modern practitioners require not only a solid theoretical and clinical foundation but also interdisciplinary knowledge and strong collaborative skills to excel in an environment of integrated Chinese-Western medical practice.

To achieve this, the joint expert team will draw upon local and international best practices. Through focus groups and public forums, they will consult extensively with academia, industry and the public to build a consensus. The study will cover key competency domains—from TCM theory and diagnostics to patient care, professional ethics, integrated medicine and continuing education—to establish a definitive framework. This framework will serve as a blueprint for enhancing undergraduate curricula and reforming the practitioner licensing examination. By setting a clear standard for education, assessment and professional development, this will elevate the profession’s standing, deepen public trust and cultivate world-class Chinese medicine talent in Hong Kong.

Professor Li Min, Dean of Chinese Medicine and the project’s Principal Investigator remarked, “Establishing these core competencies is a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint. This initiative carries a profound responsibility which will set a gold standard that is distinctly Hong Kong’s yet globally recognised. By enhancing the professional status and prospects of our profession, we are not only safeguarding public health but also driving the strategic advancement of the local healthcare system.”