ESTABLISHING DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR TCM SYNDROMES FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF DOCTORS: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Wen-Zhi Hao¹, Fei-fei Xue¹, Lifeng Yue², Nai-jun Yuan¹, Lian Gong¹, Jia-Xu Chen^{1, *}

¹Formula-pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632. China - ²Neurology Department, Beijing Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine

Objective: To explore the diagnostic criteria of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndromes from the perspective of doctors. 

Methods: Eight professional Chinese medicine doctors were interviewed by semi-structured interview method. QSR NVIVO11.0 software was used to sort out the interview data, and the recordings of individual interviewers were extracted, transcribed, sorted and coded. The qualitative analysis method is used to summarize the diagnostic criteria of TCM syndromes. 

Results: Through the application of qualitative analysis research methods in the field of modernization of TCM, we have initially established the scope and diagnostic criteria of TCM syndrome diagnostic criteria, covering specific diagnostic methods, core clinical symptoms, specific clinical symptoms, and syndromes,etc. 

Conclusion: TCM syndrome has important complementary diagnosis and alternative treatment effects. Traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis methods should be combined with Western modern diagnostic techniques. The biological essence of TCM syndromes should be studied in depth to meet the actual needs of clinical diagnosis at an early date. It is necessary to give play to the important role of humane care in the diagnosis process, and to take personal constitution, living habits, eating habits, etc. as an important part of diagnosis and adjuvant therapy.