National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Advocates TCM-Based Integrated Medical and Elderly Care: Over 60% of Elderly Care Institutions to Offer TCM Services by 2020

On March 13, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine released the “Implementation Opinions on Promoting the Development of Health and Elderly Care Services Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine”” (hereinafter referred to as the “Opinions”)。

"YiOpinions》proposes that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) health and elderly care services are an important component of the integration of medical and elderly care. This involves applying the concepts, methods, and techniques of TCM (including ethnic minority medicine) to provide older adults with continuous TCM health management and medical services aimed at maintaining physical and mental well-being, preventing diseases, improving constitution, diagnosing and treating illnesses, and promoting overall health. Relevant services provided by both non-medical institutions and medical institutions may also be included within this scope.

“The Opinions” established the work objectives to be achieved by 2020 for traditional Chinese medicine-based health and elderly care, as outlined in the following aspects:

I. The policy framework, standards and norms, and management systems have been basically established;

II. A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) health and elderly care service system, characterized by close collaboration among medical institutions, TCM wellness and healthcare institutions, communities, and home-based elderly care providers, has been basically established;

III. Basic coverage of traditional Chinese medicine health and elderly care services in urban and rural communities,More than 60% of elderly care institutions are able to provide traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) health and elderly care services to resident seniors in various forms., the rate of traditional Chinese medicine health management for the elderly aged 65 and above reached over 65%.

IV.All traditional Chinese medicine hospitals at Level II and above have established various forms of collaboration with one or more elderly care institutions., establish a green channel to provide convenient services for the elderly, such as appointment registration and medical consultation.

V. Unleash the consumption potential of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for healthy aging, and meet the elderly’s demand for TCM-based health and elderly care services.

“The Opinions” highlight the key priorities for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-based health and elderly care services: efforts should be focused on relevant service providers, collaboration between TCM hospitals and elderly care institutions, community-based services, talent development, and the overall TCM health and elderly care industry.

Accelerate the Development of Institutions Providing Traditional Chinese Medicine Health and Elderly Care Services

· EncouragementSocially Operated Health and Wellness Institutions Primarily Serving the Elderly, providing elderly individuals with services such as TCM health status identification and assessment, consultation and guidance, and health management, while employing wellness and health intervention techniques including massage, gua sha, cupping, moxibustion, and herbal fumigation and washing.

· Cultivate a group of well-known enterprises with mature technologies and good reputationsTCM Wellness and Healthcare Group or Chain Institutions。

· Strengthen the basic conditions and capacity building of traditional Chinese medicine hospitals, and exploreIntegrating Medical Care, Health Preservation, Wellness, and Rehabilitationhospital development model.TCM Hospitals at Level II and Above Generally Establish Preventive Treatment Departments; actively establish geriatric departments, increase the number of hospital beds for elderly patients, open green channels for elderly medical consultations, and enhance the diagnosis and treatment capabilities for common, frequently occurring, and chronic diseases among the elderly.

· Over 85% of community health service centers and over 70% of township health centersEstablish Comprehensive Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Service Zones (TCM Clinics, National TCM Halls) to provide TCM-based health and elderly care services.

· Strengthen the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) departments in other medical institutions, such as rehabilitation, nursing, and convalescent care facilities, and promote the application of comprehensive TCM therapies.

· Encourage those with the capacityElderly Care InstitutionsApplication for EstablishmentTraditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Health and Wellness Institutionsand focusing on geriatric medicine, healthcare, rehabilitation, and caregivingTCM Hospitals, TCM Outpatient Departments, and TCM Clinics, and in accordance with the "Several Policy Measures on Promoting the Accelerated Development of Socially-Run Medical Institutions" and the "Notice of the National Health and Family Planning Commission and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Promoting the Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine Services by Socially-Run Medical Institutions,"Enjoy Policy Support for Socially-Run Traditional Chinese Medicine Services。

Collaboration Between Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospitals and Elderly Care Institutions

· All Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) hospitals at Level II and above shall establish collaborations with elderly care institutions in various forms.。

· Encouragement and SupportPublic Traditional Chinese Medicine HospitalLeveraging advantageous resources such as brand, technology, talent, and management through franchising and other modelsCollaborate with civil affairs departments and social capital, among others., newly established, entrusted management, and jointly organizedNon-Profit Integrated Medical and Elderly Care Institutions。

· Medical institutions with appropriate qualifications established within elderly care facilities may serve as sites for post-acute rehabilitation and nursing care for elderly patients at traditional Chinese medicine hospitals.

· Through the construction ofTraditional Chinese Medicine Medical and Elderly Care Consortiumin various forms, providing elderly people with integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) health and elderly care services, including inpatient treatment during the acute phase, nursing care during the rehabilitation phase, daily living assistance during the stable phase, and hospice care.

· Encourage TCM practitioners to provide health consultation and conditioning services in elderly care institutions, provided that they have fulfilled their work duties at their respective medical institutions.

Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine Health and Elderly Care Services into Communities

· TCM Hospitals at Level II and Above Should Provide Guidance to Primary Healthcare Institutions, provide traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) health management, wellness and healthcare, rehabilitation, home-based care, and health education services for the elderly, and promote the extension and outreach of high-quality TCM resources to communities and households.

·All community health service institutions, township health centers, and 50% of village clinicsProvide TCM health interventions and management services to all individuals aged 65 and above, incorporate TCM constitution identification into elderly health records, and continuously expand coverage.

· Fully leverageFamily DoctorThe Role of Contracted Teams in Traditional Chinese Medicine Health and Elderly Care, Encouraging TCM Physicians to Actively Participate in Family Doctor Contracted Teams.

· Encourage collaboration between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospitals, community health service centers, and township health centers with elderly care institutions, community elderly care service centers, and grassroots elderly associations, to promote the integration of high-quality TCM resources into communities, rural areas, and households, and strengthen publicity on TCM culture related to health preservation and elderly care.

Cultivating Talents for Traditional Chinese Medicine Health and Elderly Care Services

· Strengthen the development of disciplines such as TCM Geriatrics and TCM Nursing, and cultivate a cohort of leading experts and core professionals in the field of TCM Geriatrics.

· Conduct training on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) health and elderly care knowledge and vocational skills for grassroots medical staff and elderly care workers; encourage and guide TCM graduates to enter the TCM health and elderly care service sector, thereby addressing the shortage of human resources in this field.

Developing the Industry of Traditional Chinese Medicine Health and Elderly Care Services

· Promote the integration of traditional Chinese medicine withInternet, tourism, sports, food and beverage, accommodation, and other industriesIntegrate and develop in a coordinated manner, enrich the forms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) services, innovate TCM service products, and cultivate and expand the TCM health and elderly care service industry.

· Encourage traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) medical institutions, health and wellness care facilities, TCM research institutes, academic institutions, and enterprises to conduct research and development, improve, and promoteProducts and services for the elderly, including food and drugs, rehabilitation aids, daily care, and cultural and entertainment activities。

· Actively leverage information technologies such as mobile internet and the Internet of Things (IoT) for developmentIntelligent Service Products, providing the elderly with high-quality, personalized, and convenient TCM health and elderly care services that integrate TCM health monitoring, consultation and assessment, wellness regulation, follow-up management, and daily life care.

· AdvancementInformatization Construction of Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospitals at Level II and Above, providing convenient medical access and health management services to institutional and community-based elderly populations through telemedicine.

· Vigorously develop trade in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) services to provide high-end TCM health and elderly care services to overseas consumers.

· Encourage insurance companies to developTraditional Chinese Medicine Health and Elderly Care InsuranceProducts, innovating the health and elderly care protection model of traditional Chinese medicine.

Standardizing Traditional Chinese Medicine Health and Elderly Care Services

· Support the establishment of industry organizations for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) health and elderly care services, and support these organizations in researching and formulating industry standards such as relevant technology catalogs, service specifications, and operational procedures, so as to gradually establish and improve a standardized system for TCM health and elderly care services.

· Establish a system for recording adverse professional conduct by institutions providing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) health and elderly care services and their practitioners, along with mechanisms for disciplining dishonesty and facilitating exit from the market; incorporate their operational integrity and professional practice records into a unified credit information platform, and publicly disclose administrative licensing and penalty information of relevant enterprises through the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System.

· Transform administrative management approaches, promoting the negative list system and third-party certification as the primary methods of market regulation. Strictly crack down on illegal practices such as unlicensed medical practice in accordance with the law, and accelerate the establishment of a comprehensive regulatory mechanism integrating administrative supervision, industry self-discipline, social oversight, and public participation.