A review was undertaken of the operation process and development of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) and related devices for TEAS, with the aim to offer a reference for developing an international standard for the basic safety and essential performance of the devices. The articles related to TEAS and instruction of devices for TEAS were searched using the EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Web of Science databases with the time period from inception to July 18, 2023. In the absence of a parameter description of the stimulators, a multimeter was used to measure the output voltage, resistance, and current. Thirty-two related devices for TEAS were obtained. The safety parameters of most devices were neither clearly defined, nor stand ardized, and in some cases were missing. There was a noticeable disparity in the upper safety limits of the output current among the devices. The sizes of the skin electrode pads as well as the lengths of the electrode connecting wires of most devices were not clearly indicated. Acupoints on different parts of the human body, including the upper limbs, head, auricle, chest, abdomen, trunk, and lower limbs, required different maximum tolerable current intensities and current densities. It is important to indicate comprehensive output/safety parameters and essential performance for devices for TEAS to meet the need of global distribution, achieve precise stimulation parameters at different acupoints across the human body, and allay any safety concern of national therapeutic device authorities, the regulators, manufacturers, and end users.

A symposium on pattern identification (PI) was held at the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM) on October 2, 2013, in Daejeon, South Korea. This symposium was convened to provide information on the current research in PI as well as suggest future research directions. The participants discussed the nature of PI, possible research questions, strategies and future international collaborations in pattern research. With eight presentations and an extensive panel discussion, the symposium allowed participants to discuss research methods in traditional medicine for PI. One speaker presented the topic, 'Clinical pattern differentiation and contemporary research in PI.' Two speakers presented current trends in research on blood stasis while the remaining five other delegates discussed the research methods and future directions of PI research. The participants engaged in in-depth discussions regarding the nature of PI, potential research questions, strategies and future international collaborations in pattern research.
Humans ; Internationality ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Research ; trends ; Syndrome

An international brainstorming session on standardizing pattern identification (PI) was held at the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine on October 1, 2013 in Daejeon, South Korea. This brainstorming session was convened to gather insights from international traditional East Asian medicine specialists regarding PI standardization. With eight presentations and discussion sessions, the meeting allowed participants to discuss research methods and diagnostic systems used in traditional medicine for PI. One speaker presented a talk titled "The diagnostic criteria for blood stasis syndrome: implications for standardization of PI". Four speakers presented on future strategies and objective measurement tools that could be used in PI research. Later, participants shared information and methodology for accurate diagnosis and PI. They also discussed the necessity for standardizing PI and methods for international collaborations in pattern research.
Internationality ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; standards ; Reference Standards ; Research

OBJECTIVETo analyze and compare the curriculum and delivery of a Chinese and Australian university-level Chinese medicine program.

METHODSA review of PubMed and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure for relevant educational papers was undertaken. Online and paper documents available at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and the Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CDUTCM) were read and analyzed. In addition, in-depth interviews with academics from the two universities were conducted during 2014 to 2015.

RESULTSThe two Chinese medicine programs share the common goal of providing health services to the local community, but differ in some aspects when the curricula are compared. Areas such as student profile, curriculum structure, teaching approaches and education quality assurance were found to be different. The UTS program adopts a "flipped learning" approach with the use of educational technology aiming at improving learning outcomes. On the other hand, the CDUTCM has better clinical facilities and specialist physician resources.

CONCLUSIONA better understanding of the different curricula and approaches to Chinese medicine education will facilitate student learning and educational outcomes.