BackgroundAcupuncture has been developed systematically and steadily in Russia(USSR)since the 1950s,with a complete system of clinical application,law and education.Its unique history and characteristics are part of the internationalisation of Chinese medicine and need to be studied deeply.The Saint petersburg Centre for Chinese Medicine is a concrete implementation unit for the internationalisation of Chinese medicine and the "One Belt,One Road" initiative,and is faced with the task of combining the relevant policies of China with the actual situation in the host country.For this reason,on the one hand,it is necessary to conduct a detailed study of the legal,educational and clinical research situation of acupuncture in Russia(USSR),based on its characteristics,differences and experiences,to provide a basis for the development of acupuncture in Russia based on the Saint petersburg Centre.It will also provide some living reference for the practical work of acupuncture in other countries or in the process of internationalisation of Chinese medicine.On the other hand there is a need to propose certain development strategies based on the practical work experience of several overseas TCM centres in order to provide a point of reference for the smooth implementation of the process.ObjectiveTo provide a specific and logical historical context for the development of acupuncture and moxibustion in Russia and China(Soviet Union)through the utilization of information on medical activities and policies related to the development of acupuncture and moxibustion.To summarise the characteristics and significance of the development of acupuncture in Russia(USSR)in different historical periods,in order to provide some historical reference for the development of Chinese medicine in Russia.To conduct a study of the local Russian acupuncture education system with the aim of identifying its current characteristics and patterns,and to analyse strategies for the development of educational exchanges between Chinese and Russian acupuncture.Study of the local legal system of acupuncture and moxibustion in Russia,with the aim of identifying its current characteristics and patterns,and analyzing strategies for the development of Sino-Russian acupuncture education and exchange.To collect and analyse the current status of reflexology research based on Russian local databases of journals,magazines and books,in order to gain an intuitive understanding of the types of diseases and effects of reflexology research in Russia.Based on previous research,the expert consultation method combined with the hierarchical analysis method is used to provide ideas and references for the practical development of overseas Chinese medicine centres based on the development direction and operational strategies.Methods1.Historical researchUsing historical collection,historical classification and analysis,and historical description.The historical sources are collected and then classified,in which the patterns and connections between historical facts are sought.The process,characteristics and patterns of the development of reflexology in Russia(USSR)are identified,classified and described,and the historical experience is summarised.2.Qualitative researchAnalyse the patterns of the development of acupuncture education and law in Russia through qualitative research into the logical relationships between their characteristics.The descriptive method is used to explain the composition and content of the Russian acupuncture education and legal system,and the analytical method is used to logically sort out and analyse its characteristics.The characteristics of the Russian system of acupuncture education and law are summarised through the inductive and analogical methods,and suggestions for educational exchange and development are made based on the corresponding situation of acupuncture in China.A summary of the legal system of acupuncture in Russia by inductive and analogical methods,and a proposal for the fit and development of acupuncture exchange based on the internationalisation of Chinese medicine.Using the typical survey method,specific subjects representative of the different types of education in Russian reflexology were selected for investigation and research in order to explore the overall laws and characteristics of acupuncture education in Russia.3.Literature studyBased on a comprehensive collection of Russian journals in the Universal Database and eLibrary databases,and the КиберЛенинка scientific electronic library,a qualitative and quantitative analysis was carried out to identify the characteristics of clinical research on reflexology in Russian journals.The aim of the search was to gain an overview of the clinical application,efficacy and characteristics of reflexology through qualitative and quantitative analysis.4.Expert consultation and hierarchical analysisAn expert consultation questionnaire was developed based on the literature on the development strategies of overseas Chinese medicine centres,and expert consultation and hierarchical analysis were used to determine the weighting of items at each level and the overall weighting.The actual development directions and strategies of overseas TCM centres were analysed based on the weighting of the entries.Results1.A study of the history of the development of acupuncture in Russia(USSR)The development of acupuncture in Russia was based on the arrival of Soviet experts in the 1950s,driven by state budget support in the 1970s,and guaranteed by the improvement of efficient state laws and regulations during this period.The Soviet experts,as ambassadors of the development of acupuncture,worked hard to have a more comprehensive study of the mechanisms of action and clinical efficacy of acupuncture,and the good research results were decisive for the legislation and establishment of the discipline in the Soviet Union.The development of acupuncture in the Soviet Union was characterised by two distinctive features:firstly,the rapid recognition and development of acupuncture through high-level exchanges between national governments,and secondly,the obvious temporal regularity and economic dependence of the development.2.Study of the Russian Acupuncture Education SystemThe types of education in Russian acupuncture are divided into three types:clinical residency training(acupuncture specialty),continuing education and professional retraining.The educational standards for clinical residency training(specialisation in acupuncture)follow the standards for state higher education set out in the Russian Ministry of Education’s order "Decision on the approval of federal state professional standards for higher education",which provides for the study of competencies in six areas:preventive activities,diagnostic activities,therapeutic activities,rehabilitation activities,health promotion,organisation of management activities,and organisation of assessment of the quality of patient care.The course is structured into 3 stages:course study,medical practice and final national certification.The course content is guided by the basic theory of Chinese medicine and Chinese medicine diagnosis as the main theory of reflexology,and the teaching content is set up with clinical diagnosis and treatment in mind.The clinical practice curriculum is aligned with the sub-specialties of clinical medicine,and in each course it is necessary to learn five aspects of reflexology:methods of detecting and diagnosing diseases in the subject,treatment plans,rehabilitation plans,preventive measures,and treatment in emergency situations.The continuing education component follows the three methods approved by Order No.926 of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation:training at various universities or teaching institutions of the same level;training at professional training institutions registered by the DMO;and individual self-education.The content of the training is more focused on the progress of the discipline and the solution of clinical problems than in the residency training in reflexology.The teaching requirements include requirements for preventive,diagnostic and therapeutic activities related to reflexology.Professional retraining is the equivalent of second higher or second secondary vocational education to qualify for practice and requires the completion of a course of 500 hours or more(approximately 4 months),the aim of which is to qualify as a reflexology therapist,so the competencies and content of the training are consistent with those of a residency.3.A study of the Russian legal system for the application of acupunctureIt contains the following three parts:Order No.364 of the Russian Federation specifies the requirements for the training of reflexologists and the rules for the qualification,practice and evaluation of titles of physicians;Order No.38 of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation "On measures for the further development of reflexology in the Russian Federation" sets out the regulatory requirements for the duties of reflexologists and hardware facilities for reflexology,and Order No.266 "On the approval of the use of reflexology in clinical practice No.266 "On the list of recommended medical indications and contraindications for the approval of the use of reflexology in clinical practice" specifies the scope of clinical application of reflexology.Among the features of the Measures for the Further Development of Reflexology in the Russian Federation are the following,with clear requirements for the development of the location,scale,level of personnel and structure of personnel for the opening of reflexology.A detailed list of qualification characteristics,i.e.competences required of reflexology practitioners,a methodology and guidance for reflexologists on the acquisition of the reflexology qualification category by certified doctors.The list of recommended medical indications and contraindications for the approved use of reflexology in clinical practice contains a list of four different levels of application:a list of general medical indications,a list of major medical indications,a list of relative medical indications and a list of medical contraindications.4.Characterisation of clinical research on reflexology in RussiaCirculatory disorders,orthopaedic disorders,neurological disorders,paediatric disorders,and pentosynthesis are the most studied disorders in the Russian reflexology community as a whole.The studies included in this study are all indigenous to Russia(the language of the papers is Russian)and are characterised by an overall refinement of research and a weak evidence-based philosophy.A review of reflexology books by date of publication,type of content and place of publication reveals that the majority of reflexology books published in Russia are commercially published popular science books with a focus on reflexology acupuncture points and therapeutics,while other books are more often published as professional reference books.More books on the basic theory of reflexology and therapeutics,which occupy a greater proportion,are characterised by content that highlights the main content of the reflexology discipline and highlights practicality in the form of non-textbook books.5.Research on development strategies for overseas Chinese medicine centresThere were 15 expert opinions in this part of the study,with a Kendall coordination coefficient of 0.5(p ≤ 0.05)and an expert authority degree Cr=0.863>0.7,making the findings reliable.A total of two 3rd order matrices(CR=0.025,CR=0.0057),two 4th order matrices(CR = 0.025,CR=0.0022)and one 7th order ladder matrix(CR=0.036)were constructed,all of which passed the consistency test.After normalising the weights of each item,it was concluded that centre staff treatment and personal development pathways(ω=0.2268),foreign talent training system(ω=0.147),centre-based Chinese medicine cultural exchange(ω=0.1053),and centre location and publicity(ω=0.0648)were the higher weighted entries were the parts of the overseas centre that needed to be focused on in the actual development process.The construction and development of these components need to be strengthened in the actual centre development process.The technical team determines the level of efficacy,local cultural exchange activities promote the understanding and recognition of the centre by the local population and evoke a sense of cultural identity.A sound operational set-up is essential for the development of the centre.Conclusions1.Mutual aid relationships between countries can lead to the development of efficient,directional and practical acupuncture.High level research and promotion is more likely to be supported by legislation.Legislation for acupuncture education,clinical use,qualification and title certification is the basis for stable development.The development of acupuncture in a given country tends to be based on the scientific interest points within the profession and the more established scientific directions in that country.2.The system of reflexology training in Russia is a residency-led approach to practitioner training,supplemented by professional retraining.Reflexology practitioners are required to complete continuing education in their specialty every five years.The reflexology curriculum emphasises the treatment of emergency situations,paediatrics,neurology,orthopaedics and other conditions.3.The current legislation on reflexology in Russia(USSR)is divided into two categories:promotion of development and regulation of use.There are no specific technical requirements for the application of reflexology,and there is a lack of management to improve service techniques in terms of efficacy.There are no specific regulations or guidelines for the treatment of reflexology disorders in Russia,and the development of different individual treatment protocols is encouraged.In terms of professional qualifications and title promotion in reflexology,emphasis is placed on the examination of medical humanities and laws,regulations and management of the profession.The assessment of the title of reflexologists focuses on the examination of treatment and management capabilities and the scope of services corresponding to the title held.4.Diseases of the circulatory system,orthopaedic diseases,neurological diseases,paediatric diseases,and diseases of the five senses are the most researched diseases in the Russian reflexology community as a whole,and are currently the trend for clinical research or scientific cooperation in reflexology in Russia.The local reflexology research in Russia has obvious local characteristics in terms of high incidence,predominant diseases and research hotspots.5.Based on the strategic research and expert opinion on the development of overseas Chinese medicine centres,the four areas of importance in the actual development process are technical team,cultural dissemination,personnel training and operational setup.Among them,the treatment of centre staff and personal development pathways,the external talent training system,the cultural exchange of Chinese medicine based on the centre,and the location and promotion of the centre are,in order,the parts that need to be focused on in the actual development process of overseas centres. |