Status of traditional Chinese medicine healthcare services in nursing homes across China

Fanli Meng; Meiyan Ye; Jianping Si; Wenxiao Chen; Yanyan Hong; Shucong Liu; Yan Chen; Xin Shen; Shanshan Zhu; Chaoyang Zhao; Mengna Guo; Xiaoli Feng; Dahui Wang

doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.02.025

Status of traditional Chinese medicine healthcare services in nursing homes across China

Geriatr Nurs. 2022 May-Jun:45:93-99. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.02.025. Epub 2022 Mar 29.

Authors

Fanli Meng¹, Meiyan Ye², Jianping Si³, Wenxiao Chen³, Yanyan Hong³, Shucong Liu³, Yan Chen³, Xin Shen³, Shanshan Zhu³, Chaoyang Zhao³, Mengna Guo³, Xiaoli Feng⁴, Dahui Wang⁵

Affiliations

¹ The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College, 31 Longhua Road, Haikou City, Hainan Province, China. Electronic address: 20100003@hznu.edu.cn.
² Hangzhou Xiaoshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, 311200, Zhejiang, China.
³ School of Public Health, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, China.
⁴ China Association of Social Welfare and Senior Service, 100054, Beijing, China.
⁵ School of Public Health, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, China. Electronic address: 20120051@hznu.edu.cn.

PMID: 35364480
DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.02.025

Abstract

This study aimed to elucidate the status of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) healthcare services provided in nursing homes across China. We investigated 484 nursing homes using self-compiled questionnaires with a convenient sampling method. Chi-squared and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used for univariate analysis and binary logistic regression for multi-factor analysis. Of the 443 nursing homes finally included, 215 (48.5%) provided TCM healthcare services. Nursing home leaders majored in integrated TCM and Western medicine, leaders with a better understanding of TCM and government policies, nursing homes charging over 5,000 CNY/month, and those with ≥500 beds were more likely to provide improved TCM healthcare services. Massage, moxibustion, cupping or scraping, plaster therapy, decocting pieces, and acupuncture were the most prevalent and popular TCM services. Lack of professionals, financial investment, and policy support were the most common factors limiting the provision of TCM healthcare services in Chinese nursing homes.

Keywords: Alternative medicine; Complementary medicine; Healthcare service; Nursing home; Traditional Chinese medicine.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Acupuncture Therapy*
China
Delivery of Health Care
Humans
Medicine, Chinese Traditional*
Nursing Homes