Blended Learning for Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

The world is experiencing unprecedented times for education with the global pandemic. New ways of learning, even for practical skills like acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), need to be developed and implemented if skilled TCM practitioners are to enter this field of practice. Because TCM and acupuncture require many hours of clinical practice within an undergraduate degree, a completely online delivery mode is unsuitable. However, the theoretical components of the degree can be presented online. In this research project, data was gathered from an inclass survey about students’ perceptions of blended learning (BL), completed by all the students at a private tertiary institution delivering BL for acupuncture and TCM. Preliminary results suggest that these students display a high level of resilience in coping with uncertain delivery methods and are willing to adapt to whatever mode of delivery is available. Many students use multiple platforms, multiple devices and multiple ways of learning. The information will contribute to how TCM schools can improve their performance in educating TCM practitioners of the future, especially in the current uncertain times.