Guangzhou University

 

About The University

Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine is one of the oldest colleges of its kind in China and is governed directly by the State Administration of TCM. The university is located at Sanyuanli, near the foot of Baiyun mountain in northern Guangzhou. The campus covers an area of about 400,00 square meters and has a building area of about 290,000 square meters (including the affiliated hospitals). The university was Guangzhou College of TCM until February 1995, when the State Educational committee approved the transition to university status.

The university consists of two Departments of Medicine, the Departments of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Department of Chinese Materia Medica, Basic Science and Social Science, and the Affiliated Middle School of TCM. Seven branches have been designated as the doctoral degree – granting units, and twenty-two branches as the master’s degree – granting units. The university offers seven specialties for undergraduates, including Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chinese Materia Medica, Orthopedics and Traumatology, ENT and Ophthalmology of TCM, TCM Literature and Resources of Chinese Materia Medica (development and utilization).

A seven-term undergraduate and postgraduate TCM class and a two-term TCM class for the second bachelor degree for professionals of Western Medicine have been held since 1991 and 1992, respectively. At present, the total number of the faculties and staffs is more than 3,000, and about 400 of them hold senior titles of professional posts and over 700 of them hold intermediate ones. There are more than 2,000 full-time students studying at the university, including undergraduates, postgraduates, foreign students and students from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Continuing education includes evening, correspondence and self-paced classes have also been held.

Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine combines high-technology with traditional medicine. Students use modern computer facilities and learn about the history of Chinese medicine. However, the educational focus remains on learning to give patients the best care possible.

 

Research at Guangzhou

Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine is a research base in the field of Clinical Pharmacology authorized by the Chinese Ministry of Public Health. A DME (design, measurement and evaluation) National Training Center was officially founded in 1984, and is, at present, the only one in the whole country at a TCM university or institute.

Guangzhou Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, with a unified leadership system of the university, was officially founded in October 1992.

Guangzhou University of TCM has about 100 million yuan worth of equipment, and provides the foundation for the combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the modern sciences.

From 1978 to 1995, 435 research projects have been undertaken, 135 of which were approved in technical appraisal. Of the projects, 132 were awarded prizes at various levels (12 at the national level, 54 at ministry and provincial levels).

The Journal of New TCM, Guangzhou University Journal of TCM, and Journal of Traditional Chinese Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacology, edited by the university, have become vital to the academic exchange of TCM.

 

Medical Facilities

From 1978 to 1995, 435 research projects have been undertaken, 135 of which were approved in technical appraisal. Of the projects, 132 were awarded prizes at various levels (12 at the national level, 54 at ministry and provincial levels).

The Journal of New TCM, Guangzhou University Journal of TCM, and Journal of Traditional Chinese Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacology, edited by the university, have become vital to the academic exchange of TCM.

 

Foreign Exchange

Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine began enrolling foreign applicants in 1974. Since then, more than 620 foreign students including undergraduates, advanced study students and postgraduates from 79 countries and 5 continents have studied and graduated from the university.

In 1979, the first short-term courses in Chinese medicine, Chinese Materia Medica, and acupuncture and moxibustion were held at the university. Since then, over 2500 participants from other countries and regions have attended these courses.

The China Guangzhou International Training Center of TCM was officially founded in 1991. The center was established by the university, authorized by the State Administration of TCM and is supported by the World Health Organization.

The Guangzhou Overseas Association for Promotion of TCM (formerly Guangzhou, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Friendship Association of TCM) and Guangzhou Zhongjing TCM Awarding Foundation have been established. At present, academic exchange continues between Guangzhou University and the other medical colleges and research institutes in more than 50 countries and regions.



This course is a practical study of the internal and external causes of disease within the Eastern medical model. A clear understanding of 'TCM pathologies' is needed in order to apply the sophisticated system of Oriental Medicine based on sign and symptom patterns.
This course consists of procedures of physical and neurological examination; providing an understanding of the methods used in making physical diagnosis.
Courses begin with a review of the normal physiological  processes and then discuss how these are altered by disease.  Students will be able to recognize pathological indicators and biochemical pathways to better correlate the basic science of pathology with physical diagnosis and disorders related to nutrition.
Students gain the foundation in western physiology needed to understand the biochemical processes and nutritional needs of the human body related to health and disease. Information in this class is intrinsic to understanding the foundations of nutrition.
This directed learning paper develops additional competencies in basic sciences. Five pathological disorders from different systems are assigned.
This class concentrates on the processes involved with taking in and utilizing food substances by which growth, repair and maintenance of activities in the body as a whole or in any of its parts are accomplished. This includes ingestion, digestion, absorption and metabolism, as well as, basic nutritional needs and the use of vitamins, minerals and supplements.
This class includes topics in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. Mechanisms of the nervous system are covered as related to the scientific basis of Acupuncture and its application to the treatment of disease. Students in this class gain the ability to explain the mechanisms of Acupuncture in modern medical terms. Communication skills between Acupuncturists and Medical professionals are stressed.
Students continue to practice needle insertion with combinations of points that would be used in treatment.  There is emphasis on safety with difficult points and more complex point prescriptions.
Students review the anatomical structures through which needles pass at progressive depths of the body.  This includes proper insertion, angle, depth, duration and withdrawl of needles.
At the beginning of the second year, students begin developing needle insertion skills. Students receive intensive instruction in techniques of clean needle insertion as approved by current national standards.
This course helps students develop their skills in organization and analysis of presenting symptoms.  The clinic review class includes evaluation of the physical and psychological components of an illness and specific treatment strategies.
This class covers the basis of treatment using the eight principle and secondary vessel pathology. Students learn to formulate a treatment using the information gathered from pulse and tongue diagnosis. Practical use of classical point categories such as antique points, influential points and windows of the sky points in the treatment of eight principle disease patterns will be covered.
It is in this class that the prior three quarter of TCM theory begin to flower and faculty can see the "light bulb go on", as students get a sense of how well the TCM theory fits together.  At this point, students are beginning their next phase of clinic and now have responsibility of using this information in a clinical setting.
A continuation of Anatomy 1, this course is an in-depth study of visceral structure and physiologic function of the human body.
This course is an in-depth study of the somatic structure of the human body: skeletal, muscular, ligamentous, and an introduction to the peripheral nerves. There is attention given to the palpatory anatomy that will be needed for Point Location and Needle Technique classes.
In this course, students are oriented to the procedures and protocol needed to successfully complete internship. Physical assessment skills needed in the practice of Oriental Medicine are covered including: vital signs, temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. Standards of history taking, SOAP noting and unique documentation found in TCM clinical records are part of this course.
This course includes discussion that brings up pertinent issues in healthcare practice and examines the approach taken by a counselor. It focuses on ethical decision-making and the patient practitioner relationship.
The directed learning paper traces the development of Chinese medicine including: the classics, historical figures and periods, and a discussion of important theoretical developments. It gives students a respect for the ancient traditions from which the modern, clinical practice of TCM developed.
The moral and ethical principles that are the core of the teachings of Confucius and Lao Tzu are taught in a manner that can be applied in present day. The influence of these schools on the development of Chinese medicine is stressed in this course.
This course continues massage techniques to regions of the body for local and systemic problem. Good Tui Na technique combined with accessory techniques is an important adjunct to an acupuncture practice.
Tui Na is a form of Chinese massage that includes different hand techniques applied to specific areas of the body. Students will gain proficiency in manipulation skill and sensitivity to energy balancing as they practice techniques in class and apply them in clinic.
Students will attend lectures, demonstrate and practice in the traditional and modern accessory techniques of Oriental Medicine: moxibustion, magnets, guasha, cupping and auricular techniques.
In this course, students will use charts, models and their fellow students as subjects to locate and mark the most important acupuncture points. Students will spend six quarters developing the sensitivity needed to achieve the Qi sensation required for effective treatment.
In this course, students will use charts, models and their fellow students as subjects to locate and mark the most important acupuncture points. Students will spend six quarters developing the sensitivity needed to achieve the Qi sensation required for effective treatment.
This course further studies the eight principle theory as it applies to the pathology of the five phases, the Zang Fu organs and the triple burner.
The rigorous clinic –based educational experience is designed to take classroom learning and first year theory so have students see the clinical application of concepts during their internship activities and experiences.
This is the first class in Chinese medical theory and introduces students to the language and refinement found in Midwest’s academic program. This class will also establish the foundation from which student’s understandings will grow.