What is Chinese Medicine?
Chinese medicine is a holistic medical system with a history spanning over three thousand years. Accounting for 40% of heath care in China (World Health Organisation 2002), Chinese medicine has become increasingly popular in western countries including Australia. Chinese medicine offers unique approaches to the understanding of health, prevention and treatment of illness and health enhancement and is used to treat a wide range of diseases.
Victoria University runs a four year full-time degree in Chinese medicine, the HBAH Bachelor of Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture and Herbs). Students are trained in the two major modalities of Chinese medicine: acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. The course is accredited with the Chinese Medicine Registration Board (CMRB) of Victoriaand graduates are eligible for registration in the Division of Herbal Medicine and Division of Acupuncture of the CMRB Register.
A feature of the HBAH course is the integration of clinical training from Year 1 of the course in a variety of clinical settings including the School of Health Sciences Teaching Clinics. In addition, students have the opportunity to complete part of their clinical training in an approved Chinese medicine hospital in China. Emphasis is placed on learning that is based on traditional Chinese medicine theory, with western biomedical knowledge supporting Chinese medicine practice. Teaching staff are experienced Chinese medicine practitioners and academics.
Potential career paths for graduates include practitioners in private practice, teaching and postgraduate research.
