Humanistic Spirit Contained in Traditional Chinese Medicine should Be Valued

Chin Med Sci J. 2019 Mar 30;34(1):51-54. doi: 10.24920/003486.

Abstract

Medicine is a science studying human's health and diseases as well as the regularity between them. Its research subject is human, who possess natural attribute, psychological attribute and social attribute. Therefore, medicine is bound to possess humanistic attribute. Rooted in Chinese traditional culture, Traditional Chinese Medicine contains abundant humanistic thoughts, for instance, pursuing the unity of human and nature, advocating the vital importance of life, sticking to the virtue of "medicine being humane art", abiding by the principle of "Benevolence prior to interest", complying with the medical rule of "Respecting peers". These are the very concrete reflections of medical humanistic spirit. In this article we aim to explore the humanistic thoughts contained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and try to inherit and carry forward the spirit to better relieve the tensions between doctors and patients and improve the quality of medical services.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional*
  • Physician-Patient Relations*