Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 320-357). Also available in print.

published_or_final_version / Chinese Medicine / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

This survey is to study the attitudes, personal experiences of Health care professional students, and knowledge about the basic concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Hong Kong and Guangzhou district of Mainland China. The research methodology used was a questionnaire which was distributed amongst healthcare professional students in Hong Kong and Guangzhou. About Seventy-five percent of participants have ever used TCM at some time to treat minor diseases. On a scale from zero to ten, the mean (SD) scores for the perceived effectiveness of TCM were 6.55 (2.07), and most of them (89%) gave five to nine scores. The average proportion of TCM used in their whole lives estimate was 24%. Most of participants (83.3%) used TCM only one to five times per year in the last five years. In participants’ opinion, TCM is more natural and having less adverse effect, while WM is pure, specific, credible, easy to administer and having better patients’ compliance. WM was the priority, or even first choice when the participants faced with a variety of representative diseases. And people had a good understanding degree of some basic concepts of TCM. Although there were a few differences in gender groups comparing and district groups comparing, broadly speaking the similarities still were in majority. In conclusion, most of pharmacy students have their own knowledge about TCM, but more measures must be carried out to improve the popularizing rate of TCM. Moreover, mainland students have better knowledge of TCM and more positive attitude compared to TCM. The attitude and practice do not appear to vary significantly between genders. / published_or_final_version / Pharmacology and Pharmacy / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

Doctor's use of medical terms is generally considered to be one of the reasons for patients' poor comprehension of medical information. However, little research has been done on the effects of Chinese medical terms, which are constructed rather differently compared to English medical terms. This study manipulated the use of Chinese medical terms in a simulated clinical consultation, to investigate its effects on patients’ comprehension of medical information and their confidence for seeking further information. One hundred and eighty one eligible Hong Kong laypersons were randomly assigned to watch one of three video clips, which differed in the use of words explaining the underlying pathological changes and the treatment of prolapsed intervertebral disc: one with lay terms only (group 1), another with medical terms alone (group 2), and another one with medical terms supplemented with lay terms (group 3). After that, a computer-based questionnaire was used to assess the participants' comprehension of the information and confidence for seeking further information, followed by a semi-structured face-to-face interview on their perceptions of the utility of Chinese medical terms. Results suggested that although Chinese medical terms were perceived to be useful in assisting patients to look for further information on their diseases, the use of Chinese medical terms, either used with or without the supplements of lay terms, did not add to patients' comprehension of medical information and confidence for seeking further information. Regression models showed a significant trend of decreasing comprehension of the cause of the disease (β = -0.241, P = 0.002) and knowledge test scores (β = -0.214, P = 0.006) with increasing age of the participant. However, older persons had better comprehension of the word used (β = 0.238, P = 0.001). Participants' educational level was the most important determinant of knowledge test scores (β = 0.364, P < 0.001). In addition, persons with higher education (β = 0.207, P = 0.024), professional occupation (β = 0.173, P = 0.015) had better comprehension of the cause of disease. The findings of the study have implications for doctor-patient communication as well as medical education. To improve the effectiveness of doctor-patient communication, it may be more rewarding to enhance doctors' overall communication skills, rather than simply advocating their use or not use of medical language. / published_or_final_version / Anatomy / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Chinese / Master / Master of Philosophy

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Victoria University (Melbourne, Vic.), 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 38-41). Also available in electronic version. Access restricted to campus users.

Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 32-35) Also available in print.

Includes bibliographical references and index.