Question: In your opinion, what is the different between TCM and Western Medicine?
The way they treat people (medical practices) are very different.
TCM uses medicines (Herbs) while western doctors uses the knife (Surgery).
Question: How long does it take to become a TCM practitioner?
The way they treat people (medical practices) are very different.
TCM uses medicines (Herbs) while western doctors uses the knife (Surgery).
Voice Recording of interview with TCM Practitioner
Question: How long does it take to become a TCM practitioner?
It depends on the person himself. If you are clever, in 3-5
years, you will become a great doctor. If you are not, it will be very
difficult for you.
Question: Is it a full day of studying?
Yes. I stay at my master’s place and study there. We have
different places to learn about different things (Such as a place to study
herbs, a place to rest etc.) If not you will not be able to learn it.
Question: Would you recommend your patients to only use TCM
and not western medicine?
No. It is up to the patient himself. It does not really
matter to me.
Question: Is there any limitations to TCM?
It depends on how severe the illness is. If it is severe, it
will take a longer time. If it is not, it will take a shorter time.
No. It depends on the person himself (what is wrong inside
the body). It depends on which medicine and the method the doctor uses to cure
the patient.
All illness can be cured. It just depends on the TCM
practitioner (If they are able to find the right method/herbs to do it). It depends
whether it is able to be found.
Question: Will you recommend them to use both TCM and
western medicine at the same time?
It is possible. It depends on the medicines and the
duration. It needs a time difference of 2-3 hours. After taking traditional Chinese
medicine, you can take western medicine after 3 hours. (Vice versa) They do not
cause any problems together.
Question: So you think that it is all right to do so. How
can the patients safely use both western medicine and TCM at the same time?
It depends on your
perception. If you like to use you can just use it (regardless whether it is
TCM or western medicine)
Question: In what cases will you recommend your patients to
use western medicine instead of TCM?
It depends on the illness of the person. If we are unable to
do cure it, we will ask them to stay here to heal them. If we are unable to do
so, it is up to them to find another doctor to help improve their conditions.
We cannot demand that the patients stay here only.
Question: So you think that there isn’t a need for a patient
to use TCM and western medicine at the same time?
If you prefer to use TCM, you can just use TCM. (There’s no
need to use both at the same time)
Wow thanks for translating guys:)
ReplyDeleteHe said that one could go to whichever based on their own liking. That would be pretty unhealthy. I mean, a vague direction like that would cause harm to the individual. Unless, of course, he was just joking and wanted to explain it in layman terms 'cos we're kids. In that case, I would just be some prude.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, but I do not think he was joking. He looked really serious:)
DeleteHe looked serious to me.. I think the TCM practitioner is trying to avoid giving his true views, because this topic is really sensitive. So, saying that one could go to whichever based on their own liking, is the best way out- to escape :P If he says that TCM is better, he might be afraid that people who support Western medicine will come after him and his identity will be revealed... On the other hand if her says that Western medicine is better, and his other customers hear it, wouldn't he lose business? haha idk :3
DeleteOh, and he was like 'Do whatever you want! Go to whichever doctor you want!' then he was saying that there was actually no need to go to a Western doctor. Was he just trying to show magnanimity in front of us?
ReplyDeleteExactly. He should have given examples of when it will be better to use TCM and when it will be better to use western medicine so that they do not cause harm to the patient's body.
ReplyDelete-Jing Xuan
He could not really give any examples. During the interview, he was pretty vague at times. I really wonder how people can trust unlicensed TCM practitioners with their health. We saw so many people waiting to be treated by him there.
DeleteThey were mostly housewives or middle-aged residents. Most likely someone got treated by him and everything was spread by word of mouth. He doesn't have any records either, plus he said he's got 60 years of experience. If that's what he tells people, then they automatically trust him, yeah?
DeleteI think there was this elderly who started complaining that he waited too long or sth, when we were about to leave. He was like 'the whole Singapore only have this doctor ah?' did we take too long interviewing the TCM practitioner or something :/
DeleteHe was actually contradicting himself... and the recording doesn't work :/
ReplyDelete- Yan Jean
Interviewing in Mandarin was something really different for an English Language Project. Interesting:)
Deletehaha it's really cool :) anw can the recording work for y'all?
DeleteIt is not possible to ascertain if what this TCM Practitioner has studied is correct or even up to date. Where exactly was his master located? Is his master reputable? How would you know if there are dangerous interactions between TCM and the Western medicine even when taken 3 hours apart? This TCM Practitioner claims that it is up to the patient to decide if he just wants to treat himself with TCM only. The patient is not knowledgeable enough about medical conditions to decide for himself, that is why he has to consult a western doctor for advice.
ReplyDeletehaha yup.. we don't exactly know about his master and we can't really ask though since he is unlicensed <- so we have to be more mindful of what we say :P
Delete