Chinese Traditional Medicine; Contributing to the Care and Treatment of Hepatitis C

Background: Many people in the United States are turning to Chinese traditional medicine for the treatment of Hepatitis C (HCV) HCV accounts for increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. In San Francisco, California, local practitioners of Chinese traditional medicine created the HCV Certification Course to address the need for specialized training for licensed acupuncturists and practitioners of Asian medicine. Methods: From 2000 – 2009 training was provided for over 225 practitioners of Chinese traditional medicine. The HCV Certification Course consisted of a comprehensive curriculum including both an eastern and western approach to the care and treatment of HCV. A mixed methods approach to inquiry was used for this study by applying both quantitative and qualitative methods. The methods used consisted of narrative-based interviews and online survey inquiry. Data was collected from Asian medicine practitioners that participated in the comprehensive training. Results: Outcomes from this study reflect the impact the HCV Certification Course has had by increasing both numbers of trained providers and access to care for people living with HCV. This study reflects on practitioners views on training and utilization of the knowledge gained through the HCV Certification Course and the impact on patient care. Conclusion: This training course was designed to expand the skills and understanding of practitioners of Asian medicine and licensed acupuncturists. This study reflects the growth and expansion of Asian medicine as part of the larger system of public health service.