The institute believes that the course is another contribution to the development of health in Portugal and to the promotion of user-centred care
The Piaget Institute makes history in Portuguese higher education by launching the first degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the country, which will be taught, starting next academic year, at the Jean Piaget Higher Education School of Health, in Almada.
This degree places Portugal and the Piaget Institute at the forefront of training in this area. TCM is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its contributions to the prevention and treatment of disease, and health promotion.
The Piaget Institute course is the first in Portugal to offer a complete academic degree in this area and will fill a gap in the training of health professionals in TCM. The course was recently accredited by A3ES (Higher Education Assessment and Accreditation Agency).
“This is an important milestone in health education in Portugal and Europe. With this new degree, the Piaget Institute reaffirms its commitment to innovation and the development of Higher Education in Portugal, at the same time as it seeks to respond to a growing need for training professionals in this area”, highlights Rui Tomás, general secretary from the Piaget Institute.
The person in charge adds: “We are, once again, at the forefront of progress by offering unique, high-quality training, with excellent international partnerships, which will place our students on the international map of Traditional Chinese Medicine”.
As a pioneering institution in this area, the Piaget Institute has important partnerships with ESMTC (School of Traditional Chinese Medicine) and NJUCM (Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine), based in the capital of Jiangsu province, in eastern China.
The first has 30 years of experience in teaching and guiding clinical internships in this area in Portugal. At the same time, the second is the oldest Chinese higher education institution in this field, having trained a large number of talents, both in the country and internationally. The University is one of the WHO Collaborating Centers for Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine and an International Acupuncture Training Center, having trained more than 30,000 international students.
“The general objective of this new cycle of studies at the Piaget Institute is to provide human, technical, scientific and cultural training at the undergraduate level in the area of TCM, based on evidence-based practice, with a focus on resolving health problems, promoting user-centred health care and the adoption of a responsible professional and ethical attitude during professional practice”, explains Ana Varela, coordinator of the degree.
With this new course, the Piaget Institute takes another step – in addition to other contributions – towards the development of public health in Portugal through teaching, research and collaboration with existing health systems.
“Traditional Chinese Medicine is a comprehensive healthcare method focused on a holistic view of health and the human being”, explains Ana Varela, who adds: “TCM includes in its therapeutic resources Acupuncture, a sophisticated method of Phytotherapy, Tuina therapeutic massage, a specific diet and a system of prevention and therapeutic exercises based on human movement, Chi Kung and Tai chi”.
The recognition of MTC in Portugal
According to data from the World Health Organization, recorded even before the recent pandemic, Traditional Chinese Medicine was practised in around 100 countries, with its Acupuncture component present in 113.
In Portugal, the profession of Traditional Chinese Medicine Specialist is legally recognized and duly regulated as a health profession, with emphasis on Laws No. 45/2003 and 71/2013, which regulate its exercise.
In China, Traditional Chinese Medicine is taught in 265 universities with bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees and the country has a hospital network of 4,500 hospitals, supported by around 50,000 dedicated health centres, corresponding to around 40% of health acts practised in the country.
Applications have now opened
The TCM degree will last four years (8 semesters), granting 240 ECTS credits, coordinated by Professor Ana Varela, and assisted by Professor Pascoal Amaral.
The application period has now opened for various types of competitions, including institutional competitions and special competitions for those over 23, for students from professional or artistic courses, and for international students (from outside the European Union).
With 30 authorized places for the 1st year, classes are scheduled to start in October.
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