Ethical perspective and development prospects of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine
10.12026/j.issn.1001-8565.2026.06.01
- VernacularTitle:中西医结合医疗的伦理透视与发展展望
- Author:
Bei CUI
1
;
Huiwen LI
1
;
Lu CHEN
1
;
Yanlong WANG
2
Author Information
1. The First Clinical Medical School， Zhejiang Chinese Medical University， Hangzhou 310053， China
2. School of Marxism， Zhejiang Chinese Medical University， Hangzhou 310053， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
traditional Chinese medicine thinking;
traditional Chinese medicine ethics;
medical ethics;
integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine;
traditional Chinese medicine practice
- From:
Chinese Medical Ethics
2026;39(6):703-708
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine exhibit significant differences in their modes of thinking， yet this very distinction creates opportunities for their mutual learning and integration. TCM ethics are grounded in the robust theoretical and practical foundations of TCM. From the three-dimensional ethical perspective of cognition， decision-making， and treatment， it demonstrates prominent characteristics in the cognitive regulation of “taking images to operate numbers，” the decision-making principle of “treatment based on syndrome differentiation，” and the therapeutic criteria of “harmony between humanity and nature.” TCM and Western medicine possess distinct features in image-based thinking and reductionism， dynamic nonlinearity and static linearity， as well as holism and antagonism， influencing how they address doctor-society， doctor-doctor， and doctor-patient relationships. Furthermore， the integration of TCM and Western medicine can foster mutual learning and allow them to complement each other’s strengths. Against the backdrop of growing emphasis on TCM modernization and the steady advancement of the Healthy China initiative， enhancing the healthcare system’s adaptability to diverse health demands is crucial. Efforts should be made to promote proper subject-object regulations in the doctor-society relationship， a harmonious yet competitive plurality in the doctor-doctor relationship， and harmonious coexistence in the doctor-patient relationship. It is also essential to uphold the parallel progression of ethical reflection and practical exploration， thereby providing ethical support for the further development of integrated Chinese and Western medicine.
