Integrating traditional apprenticeship and modern educational approaches in traditional Chinese medicine education

Abstract

Background

The traditional apprenticeship system and modern educational models both contribute to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) education in unique ways. This study aims to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches and investigates their potential integration for optimal TCM teaching.

Methods

The study employs a comprehensive literature search strategy with specific keywords through Boolean Operators, focusing on articles discussing TCM education, sourced from the databases PubMed, Scopus, and CNKI. For comparative analysis, the study analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of three distinct approaches—traditional, modern, and hybrid—in TCM education. Finally, we use a spider plot methodology to visually evaluate across 11 critical educational aspects for these approaches.

Results

A comprehensive review of 70 articles on TCM education highlights the value of both conventional and modern approaches. Conventional methods often emphasize teacher-centered clinical training that aligns well with the apprenticeship model, serving to bridge formal academic learning with hands-on experience. Modern methods incorporate elements like technology and formal accreditation but caution that the absence of traditional apprenticeship could dilute core TCM principles. One recurring theme across multiple studies is the enduring importance of apprenticeship—a pedagogical cornerstone rooted in TCM's historical and cultural context—as well as its tension with modern methodologies that incorporate online resources and scientific frameworks. An integrated approach attempts to harmonize these strengths but reveals a gap in interactivity, suggesting that incorporating apprenticeship could offer a practical, hands-on method to improve student engagement.

Conclusions

Conventional methods in TCM education emphasize teacher-centered clinical training akin to apprenticeship, modern methods incorporate technological advances and formal accreditation; however, the absence of traditional apprenticeship could compromise core TCM principles, and an integrated model, though striving to harmonize these elements, still falls short in the area of student interactivity.

Keywords:

• Apprenticeship system
• modern approaches
• Traditional Chinese Medicine education
• personal guidance
• traditional approaches

Disclosure statement

The authors Xuanxuan Zhou, Qian Yang, Linlin Bi, and Siwang Wang declare that they have nothing to disclose regarding financial or non-financial conflicts of interest to this manuscript.

Glossary

Apprenticeship: The term ‘apprenticeship’ refers to a type of education model in which a student learns a trade or profession through practical experience under the guidance of a skilled practitioner or mentor. The apprenticeship has been used in many traditional fields, including craft trades, culinary arts, and TCM. In the context of TCM education, the apprenticeship involves a close, one-on-one relationship between a student and a skilled practitioner or master. The student learns through hands-on experience, observation, and practice, gradually building their skills and knowledge over time. This approach emphasizes the transmission of cultural values and humanistic aspects of TCM, and fosters a strong teacher-student relationship. The apprenticeship has been an important part of TCM education for centuries, but in recent years, there has been a shift towards more structured, modern educational models that emphasize standardized curricula, research, and evidence-based practices. However, many practitioners and educators believe that the cultural and personal guidance aspects of the apprenticeship are essential for producing outstanding TCM practitioners. Overall, the apprenticeship is a traditional education model that emphasizes hands-on experience and one-on-one guidance, and is still used in some TCM education programs today.

Additional information

Funding

The present work is supported by Shaanxi Provincial Key Research and Development Plan (Grant No. 2023-ZDLSF-27).

Notes on contributors

Xuanxuan Zhou

Xuanxuan Zhou is the Director of Department of Natural Medicine.

Qian Yang

Qian Yang is a fellow at Department of Natural Medicine.

Linlin Bi

Linlin Bi is a fellow at Department of Natural Medicine.

Siwang Wang

Siwang Wang is the Director of Department of Natural Medicine.