Newsletter No. 423

8 No. 423, 19.9.2013 中醫學院院長 梁榮能教授 由學士到博士均修讀生物化學，是甚麼原因轉為專研中醫？ 我本對中醫認識不多，當年回到中大執教生物化學，參與 江潤祥 教授關於人參、益母草等 中藥研究，怎知愈做愈有興趣，也親身體會中醫保健養生的功效，於是跑去修讀夜間中醫 課程，由中醫全科開始，繼而深造至研究院文憑。及後我轉到浸會大學任教，而它亦正籌 備開辦中醫課程，便找我擔任課程主任，自此我便正式「轉行」，改教中醫。 過往的科學知識基礎，對修讀中醫有何幫助？ 唸過的一些學科如植物學、解剖學等，有助認識中藥，而了解人體結構和血管脈絡，則利 於學習針灸。雖然有些基礎知識是相通的，但中西醫的理論思維方式是南轅北轍。前者視 人體為一整體，針對的是體內功能系統運作的平衡，後者則從人體結構出發，舉例說，在 西醫來看，脾是一個滿布血管的淋巴組織，它充當了血液的貯存庫及過濾器。然而從中醫 的角度看，脾負責消化和血液凝固系統功能，亦與身體的水液代謝有關。 中醫學院由理學院改為隸屬醫學院，代表着甚麼？ 表徵着重回正軌，因為中醫本該屬於醫療系統的一員。實際改變倒是不大，因為中大的教 學部門向來是獨立自主的，學院的教學和研究一切沒變。 請談談學院未來新發展。 我們剛在7月初舉行了集思會，商討學院的未來方向。現時中大中醫學生的實習期長達 一年半，是全港中醫學院最長的，我們正研究縮短至一年，並構思加強中醫學科訓練。門 診方面，學院已獲大學撥出李慧珍樓地面及一樓為辦公室，預計明年初可搬到新址，信和 樓現址則專為門診所用，地方將擴大一倍，有利教學、研究和服務市民。 中醫學院可以如何與以西醫為本的醫學院互補／合作？ 一直以來，兩院都有不少合作項目，我便和精神科學系合作研究以針灸治療認知障礙症 患者。不同學科的協作，最重要是相互尊重，以及對協作學科有基本的認識，這樣會事 半功倍。就中西醫協作而言，由於中醫的訓練已含西方醫學，反是西方醫學對我們認識不 深。乘中醫學院隸屬醫學院之便，我向醫學院院長 陳家亮 教授建議，為醫科生開設中醫入 門科目，以利日後的教研合作。此外，醫學院在管理門診方面經驗豐富，可提供支援，以助 我們改善門診服務。 你對設立中醫教學醫院有何看法？ 原則上我支持，一來學生不用長途跋涉到深圳和廣州實習，二來內地的中醫院體制和規定 與香港不盡相同，學生需要自我調適。話說回來，興建中醫教學醫院所需資源不菲，還須 取決於政府的意向。 哪類學生適合修讀中醫學？畢業後的前景如何？ 作為醫者，必要的條件是有愛心，不怕面對病人。要特別一提的，是有不少中醫學書籍是 古書，學生如對中國文化有興趣更佳。今年是中醫學院成立十五周年，仍屬年輕。坦白說， 初期畢業生的就業前景是不太理想的，但近年已明朗多了。學院與多間醫院及機構如博 愛醫院、仁愛堂、基督教家庭服務中心、基督教聯合醫務協會及基督教靈實協會等簽定協 議，學生畢業後即獲該等機構屬下的十七間中醫診所聘用，為期三年。期滿後則看其表現 而決定，我們有畢業生便因表現出色，獲保薦到北京深造。 有何寄語予擬報讀中醫的學生? 中醫學課程為期六年，我建議學生選讀前要三思，評估自己的興趣，了解課程教授內容，才 下決定。 說說閒暇會做甚麼？ 我愛運動，會順應天氣變化而行山、跑步、游泳、騎單車、健身和耍太極。 Prof. Albert W.N. Leung Director, School of Chinese Medicine You received your bachelor and PhD degrees in biochemistry. What made you switch to Chinese medicine? At first I didn’t know much about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). While I was teaching biochemistry at CUHK, I participated in Prof. Kong Yun-cheung ’s studies on TCM including ginseng and Leonurus japonicus . As I became increasingly involved in TCM studies, I became fascinated. I also had first-hand experience as a consumer on its effects on health. I started to take evening courses on TCM, later obtaining the DipChiMed and GradDipChiMed. I took up a teaching post at the Baptist University, which was planning to launch a Chinese medicine programme. I was appointed as the programme director as I had the qualification. From then on, I became a teacher of Chinese medicine. How is your scientific training useful for your studies in Chinese medicine? My knowledge in botany and anatomy, etc., helps my understanding of TCM and acupuncture. While some basic knowledge is applicable to both Chinese and Western medicine, there are fundamental differences in theories and approaches between these two disciplines. Chinese medicine regards the body as an organic whole, with interconnected components. It focuses on the balance of the body’s organ systems. In Western medicine, the doctor focuses on the components. For instance, from a Western medical point of view, the spleen is a large, vascular, lymphatic organ that acts as a reservoir and filter for blood. In Chinese medicine, the spleen assists in digestion, blood coagulation and fluid metabolism in the body. The affiliation of the School of Chinese Medicine (SCM) has shifted from the Faculty of Science to the Faculty of Medicine. What does that imply? Chinese medicine is an arm of the medical system. The shift in affiliation symbolizes a return to the right track. Practically speaking though, the changes have not been that great because all CUHK academic departments enjoy autonomy. There is no change to the school in terms of teaching and research. What’s in the pipeline for the school? We had a retreat to discuss our development in early July. In the meantime, Chinese medicine students have to complete an 18-month clinical training, the longest one among local Chinese medicine schools. We are thinking of shortening the duration to a year and fine-tuning the Chinese medicine courses. Also, the space of our clinic at the Sino Building will double in size early next year, as the school office will move to the ground and first floors of the Li Wai Chun Building. The expansion will facilitate teaching, research and service to the community. How does the SCM complement or collaborate with the Faculty of Medicine? Over the years, the SCM and the Faculty have joined hands in various projects. I, for example, engage in a study on using acupuncture to treat patients with Alzheimer’s disease with the Department of Psychiatry. The success of such collaboration depends on mutual respect and having some basic knowledge of the partner’s discipline. That said, basic Western medical subjects have been incorporated into modern Chinese medical training, but not the reverse. Being affiliated with the Faculty, I proposed the idea of offering introductory courses in Chinese medicine to medical students to Prof. Francis Chan , Dean of Medicine. In addition, the Faculty is experienced in managing outpatient clinics which are valuable to us in enhancing our service. What are your views on establishing a Chinese medicine teaching hospital? I agree with setting up the hospital in principle. It will mean that our students need not undergo clinical training in Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Chinese medicine hospitals on the mainland have different systems and regulations from those in Hong Kong. Students have to adjust themselves throughout the training. Building a Chinese medicine hospital is costly and depends on what the government wants. What qualities should Chinese medicine students possess? What are their career prospects? Practitioners in Chinese medicine have to be caring and dare to face illness. It is better if they are interested in Chinese culture as a lot of textbooks are ancient texts. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the SCM. The school is still young. To be honest, the career prospects of the early graduates were less than great. As years went by, their prospects improved. Our graduates are offered three-year working contracts at 17 Chinese medicine clinics under hospitals and NGOs, including the Pok Oi Hospital, Yan Oi Tong, Christian Family Service Centre, United Christian Medical Service, and Haven of Hope Christian Service. After the contract terminates, the students’ employment opportunities depend on their performance. Some who performed exceedingly well were sent to Beijing to further their studies. Any advice for students thinking of studying Chinese medicine? The Chinese medicine programme has a six-year curriculum. I urge students to evaluate their interest and gather more information before making a decision. What is your favourite pastime? I hike, jog, swim, cycle, exercise in the gym and practise tai chi according to the season.