The situation of traditional Chinese medicine services and workforce in healthcare facilities under the Ministry of Public Health, in the year 2024
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Abstract
This study aimed to study the information on the provision of Chinese medicine services and personnel, the distribution of services and personnel, and the employment of Chinese medicine personnel, leading to the planning of the workforce of Chinese medicine positions in the future. This was a survey study using an electronic data survey (Google forms) and telephone interviews as data collection tools between November 2023 and January 2024. The survey was conducted in 978 hospitals under the Ministry of Public Health, consisting of 75 central health care facilities under various departments, and 903 regional health care facilities in all 12 health zones, including regional hospitals, general hospitals, and community hospitals. It was found that 319 places (32.62%) provided Chinese medicine services, with the most services distributed in Health Zone 5 and the most at the regional hospital level. As for the situation of the service personnel, there were 268 Chinese medicine doctors, and most were contracted employees. From the situation of Chinese medicine services under the Ministry of Public Health, there were a relatively small number of hospitals providing services, which affected the public's access to services, including problems with the employment of Chinese medicine doctors and future career growth. This results in relatively few Chinese medicine practitioners working in the Ministry of Public Health. Policy recommendations: The provision of Chinese medicine services at all levels of medical facilities should be promoted to increase public access to TCM services, and the number of Chinese medicine personnel and civil service positions should be increased to create job security.
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References
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