recommended. For physicians and medically trained non-physicians, training would be adapted to their specific requirements and confined to the clinical applications of acupuncture. An indication of the period of training to be desired in each case is given in Table 1 below. Table 1 Basic training in acupuncture Category of Personnel Level of Training Acupuncture (ACU) Core Syllabus Theory Clinical Supervised Practice Modern Western Medicine (MED) Theory + Clinical Official Examination Certificate Acupuncture practitioners (nonmedical) Full course of training 1000 hours 500 hours 500 hours 500 hours ACU + MED1 ACU Qualified physicians Full course of training 500 hours 500 hours 500 hours ACU Qualified physicians Limited training in ACU as a technique for their clinical work Not less than 200 hours ACU Other health personnel Limited training in ACU for use in primary health care Varies according to application envisaged ACU 1 State examination in acupuncture and modern Western medicine (at appropriate level). Section I: Basic training in acupuncture 7 5. Training of acupuncture practitioners 5.1 Acupuncture practitioners This training programme is designed for personnel of suitable educational level, but with little or no formal training or experience in modern Western health care. 5.2 Entrance requirements Completed secondary schooling, university entrance or equivalent, and appropriate training in the basic biosciences. 5.3 Duration of training Two years full time (2500 hours), or the part-time equivalent, with not less than 1000 hours of practical and clinical work. 5.4 Objective The aim of training at this level is to prepare acupuncture practitioners who would subsequently be employed by national health services. Training would equip them to give safe and effective acupuncture treatment to selected patients in hospitals, or as part of the primary health care team at health centres or community level. They would initially work under the general supervision of the medical officer in charge. 5.5 Core syllabus in acupuncture 1. Brief history of acupuncture 2. Basic theory · Philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine, including but not limited to concepts of yin-yang and the five phases. · Functions of qi, blood, mind, essence and body fluids, as well as their relationship to one another. · Physiological and pathological manifestations of zang-fu (visceral organs) and their relationship to one another. · Meridians and collaterals, their distribution and functions. Guidelines on basic training and safety in acupuncture 8 · Causes and mechanisms of illness. 3. Knowledge of acupuncture points · Location of the 361 classical points on the 14 meridians and the 48 extraordinary points. Location and anatomical description of the Commonly Used Points selected for Basic Training. · Alphanumeric codes and names, classifications of points, direction and depth of insertion of needles, actions and indications of the commonly used points listed in the Appendix. 4. Diagnosis · Methods of diagnosis, history taking, inspection and tongue diagnosis, palpation and pulse taking, auscultation and olfaction. · Differentiation of syndromes according to the eight principles, the theory of visceral manifestations (zang-fu), the theory of qi and blood, and the theory of meridians and collateral vessels. 5. Treatment (as permitted by national laws and health service regulations) Principles of treatment · Practical application of theory and diagnosis to treatment in each individual case. · Appropriateness of acupuncture treatment for the patient. · Planning of the acupuncture treatment to be given. · Appropriate selection of points and methods of needle manipulation. · Limitations of acupuncture, and need for referral to other health professionals or specialists. Guidelines on safety in acupuncture Treatment techniques · Needling: sterile and safe needling technique, selection of needles, proper insertion, depth, duration, manipulation (various measures of reinforcement, reduction, uniform reinforcement-reduction) and withdrawal, and contraindications of needling. · Microsystems acupuncture used in the country concerned: theory, location of points and applications. · Electrical stimulation and laser therapy: theory and applications. · Moxibustion: direct and indirect methods, appropriate use and contraindications. · Cupping methods: appropriate use and contraindications. Treatment of the diseases, illnesses, and conditions for which patients commonly seek acupuncture treatment Section I: Basic training in acupuncture 9 Acupuncture treatment of emergencies Prevention in traditional medicine 5.6 Core syllabus in modern Western medicine 1. Approach to training By the end of the course the student should have: · a sound understanding of the essentials of anatomy (including the anatomical location of acupuncture points), physiology, and the basic mechanisms of disease; · an understanding of the principles of hygiene, the common forms of disease and ill-health in the community, and their causative factors; · proficiency in making a simple but competent examination of a patient, and in arriving at a tentative diagnosis and a reasonable assessment of the gravity of symptoms and signs; · the ability to decide whether a patient may safely and suitably be treated by acupuncture, or should be referred to a health professional or facility; and · training in first aid,