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CMASA newsletter Oct 2022

Welcome to the October issue of CMASA news

1. CEO Update

  • Communication with Minister Mark Butler for MBS reimbursement for Chinese Medicine and acupuncture

 

In September 2022, in my capacity as CMASA CEO, I wrote to Hon Mark Butler, the Commonwealth Minister for Health and Aged Care to request Medicare reimbursement for Chinese Medicine, including Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture. More specifically, I requested the following:

  • Seeking an extension to professional eligibility for the provision of Individual Allied Health Services for Chronic Disease Management, to include Chinese medicine practitioners and Chinese medicine services, alongside a range of other allied health professions (see Medicare items 10950-10970)
  • Seeking an extension of professional eligibility for the provision of acupuncture services (Medicare items 193, 195, 197 and 199) to include acupuncture services provided by Chinese medicine practitioners who are registered in the Division of Acupuncturists by the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA)
  • Requesting that the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care establish an MBS Taskforce to review the above-mentioned matters
  • Offering the commitment of CMASA, as a leading Chinese medicine professional body, to assisting the Australian Government in addressing these

 

The letter was also copied to the following:

  • Prof Danforn Lim, CMBA Chair,
  • the Medicare Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) and
  • the MBS Continuous Review Team.

1.2  Collaboration with Guang’anmen Hospital for development of an electronic medical system for Chinese Medicine

In September, I initiated a three-way collaborative project between CMASA, Guang’anmen Hospital of Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Foreign Enterprise Human Resources Co. Ltd. (FESCO), to develop a bilingual (English-Chinese) electronic medical system specifically designed for Chinese Medicine practice. I had the first meeting

with the collaborative partners on 21 Sept 2022. If successful, this project will assist

requesting CMBA to remove the “conditional registration” and to standardise the medical record keeping and prescribing. I will keep you informed of the progress of the collaboration project.

1.3  Meeting with Prof Leonie Segal, Chair of Health Economics and Social Policy at the University of South Australia regarding communication strategies with private health insurance companies for rebate increase

In Sept 2022, I met with Prof Leonie Segal, Professor of Health Economics and Chair of the Health Economics and Social Policy Group at the Australian Centre for Precision Health (ACPreH), University of South Australia. We had an in-depth discussion from an economic perspective regarding the preferable communication strategies with private health insurance companies requesting an increase of rebates.

1.4  Reminder to CMASA Members for Quality and Safety in Clinical Practice

Recently there was a news release that some Chinese Medicine practitioners, members of other associations were sentenced due to sexual assault/harassment to patients at the clinical practice. More details can be found following the internet links:

 

I would like to take this opportunity to call attention from all practicing members to be cautious and to avoid these events from happening. Please do not indulge yourself in such a behaviour or provide any opportunity for others causing this type of incidents to occur.

Please keep in mind the importance of ensuring the quality and safety in your clinical practice.

Sincerely,

Dr Guoqing Wei, CEO

  1. CMASA Academic Department: 2022 CMASA Academic Summit Announcement

The 8th CMASA Traditional Chinese Medicine Academic Summit will be held on Sunday, 27 November 2022. The Summit aims to promote the Chinese Medicine classics and to pass on Chinese medicine classical literature from generation to generation.

The Summit is led by the CMASA Academic Department, both offline and online simultaneously, with most attendees from Australia and some overseas. The Summit will summarise and demonstrate the academic achievements in various aspects in the past year. Through the Summit, the experiences of the older generation will be passed onto the next generation. It will also highlight the application of the guiding principles described in classical literature to be closely integrated in the clinical practice.

Submissions are now closed. You will be hearing from us with registration details in mid-October. Please stay tuned to further announcement.

This will be an unparalled academic event guaranteed to inspire your practice and research. We encourage all members to participate.

3. Course Announcement: Enrolment for the Fifth Lecture Series in Classics Inheritance

The 2022 NSW “Miraculous Pivot (Lingshu)” course was completed successfully as scheduled. Participated by 80 members, the Fourth Lecture Series contained 20 lectures completed in sixty hours. It covered the law governing the meridian locations, directions, distributions and joints. Interlinked with each other through the internal branches and the reticular branches, all acupoints associated with the Twelve Main Channels and the Eight Extra Channels were taught in Professor Wei’s meticulous and humorous teaching style. One by one, these were carefully explained while vitality was injected into once seemingly ordinary and stagnant acupoints, with flesh, blood and emotions. The targets also turned out to be clearly visible via the detailed multi-dimensional learning. The students started to understand intentions of our ancient ancestors as to the specific location and designation of each acupoint, thus leading to the fundamental knowledge of the inevitable outcomes.  Such learning opportunities are really unattainable otherwise!

With the pavement of the previous four lecture series, we are ushered onto a higher platform. The curriculum design of the Fifth Lecture Series will be more inspiring and practical. Our goal is “There is no deviation from the theory and ensure integration into the clinical practice. The clinical practice is to be enhanced by theories, which in turn reflects the classics!”

For Chinese medicine practitioners, classics are like a lighthouse on the vast sea. Its height and significance are to lead us to find the right direction all the time! Learning the classics is like building a lighthouse within our own hearts. Only in this way can we be fearless of any obstacles along the long journey of clinical practice, and can we make unremitting efforts until the day we see ourselves rescuing the critical conditions to life under the needle, and curing of diseases with effective medicines.

The Fifth Lecture Series will continue to be run at one lecture per month, “Fundamental Questions (Su Wen)” and ” Miraculous Pivot (Ling Shu)” will be delivered simultaneously. This means each lecture will contain two components. The first part will focus on interpretation of the original classical texts, and the second part on explaining in detail the diagnosis and treatment of a common condition by applying the classical theory. This arrangement will allow students to apply what they have learned instantly in their clinical practice!

In the Chinese medicine profession, there is a saying that “Without inheritance, the clinical practice is thousands of mountains away from truth.” How many Chinese medicine practitioners who have been practicing for decades regret that they cannot enter the real “Chinese Medicine Gate” in their lives with exhausting efforts! The students who participated in this course are fortunate. The Fourth Lecture Series have enabled everyone experience the unique perspective of the professor’s analysis of the classics. The Fifth Lecture Series will continue to be coordinated by the NSW Classics Planning and Coordination Team. The lectures are open to all CMASA members across Australia. All lectures are to be delivered by the famous Prof Guoqing Wei. It is well-known that Prof Wei teaches and answers questions with great patience. Prof Wei does not hesitate to put his decades of meticulous research and clinical achievements into his teaching, primarily enabling the learning easier. The integration of theoretical principles and concepts into practical settings is innovative and unique second to none. In the lectures, the content from previous lectures will be repeated continuously.

Whether you are a student from previous lectures or a new student, you will surely achieve the learning goals and find resonance!

These brilliant and interconnected lectures will become the cornerstone of accurate clinical dialectical guiding ideology! Such an opportunity is right in front of us. It is really the blessing for CMASA members. As the Chinse saying goes, “Everything is ready, just waiting for the east wind to blow (the opportunity to arrive)”. This opportunity is in our own hands, whether you are willing to set off this learning enthusiasm in your clinical practice, the opportunity should not be overlooked and will not arrive again!

Delivery of the CMASA Classic Inheritance Lectures is a wise and appropriate approach for the majority of acupuncturists and Tuina members.  The purpose is to:

  • Establish the Chinese Medicine thinking,
  • Improve clinical skills to solve clinical problems,
  • Improve Chinese Medicine academic skills,
  • Promote the quality and safety of clinical practice,
  • Further develop Chinese Medicine, and
  • Increase income and social status of

 

Through the active participation of most CMASA members, classics learning has become popular. The interaction with lecturers has also built up the members’ confidence and enthusiasm for the profession. We firmly believe that the road to learning classics will grow wider and wider in both the teaching and learning. Your trust and support are greatly appreciated.

Thanks to the CMASA academic leaders who have carefully built this platform for members with an intention to lead everyone to enter the Gate of Chinese Medicine Classics as soon as possible, thus embarking on a genuine and truthful journey of Chinese Medicine.

These courses put emphasis on the quality and the outcome of learning, without speeding to catch up with the progress. Theory and clinical practice are closely integrated to ensure that the participants will not only learn the practical hands-on needling skills, techniques in each movement and style, but also thoroughly understand the classical theory and use it as a guiding principle which can be applied instantly in the clinical practice, leading to improvement of the clinical skills.

A live demonstration will be provided: Tentatively the 5th lesson will provide a live demonstration opportunity. The registration details will be announced via Group WeChat. Each demo will be available to 15 participants, to be offered in the order of registration! Videos will be taken for the

participants for revision and repeated learning, so as to directly sublimate the classic theoretical knowledge and rational understanding taught by the professor into a perceptual understanding that can be utilised in clinical practice. In this way you will truly gain from the teacher’s decades of rich clinical experience!

Registration details for the Five Lectures in the Fifth Lecture Series

Time and date 7:30 pm-10:30 pm AEST (Australian Eastern Time)

  • 17 October 2022
  • Monday, 14 November 2022
  • Monday, 12 December 2022
  • Monday, 16 January 2022
  • Monday, 13 February 2022

Please remember to convert the AEST into the time zone of your location.

Format Online Live Zoom Webinar
Scope (Australia-wide)
  • Registered acupuncturists
  • Practicing massage practitioners
CPD 3 DPD points per lecture
Fees
  • For CMASA members: AUD $150 for five lectures; AUD$45 for a single lecture
  • For non CMASA members: AUD $300 for five lectures; AUD$60 for a single lecture
  • Accepting RMB from mainland China, or USD from other overseas countries
Payment method Please pay directly to the CMASA Account: Commonwealth Bank

Account Name: CMASA Education BSB: 062 133

Account Number: 18001600

  • Please indicate your initials, CMASA membership number and the course code.
  • After the payment is finalised, please email the payment screenshot to CMASA: cmasatcm@hotmail.com
  • Please specify the course code in the topic section in your email.
Registration Please email your registration by: Email: cmasatcm@hotmail.com or Tel: 02 97276831
Course code N22CL5

If you register for a single lecture, please specify which one. For example, if you register for the second lecture in the Fifth Lecture Series, please

specify the course code as N22CL52.

 

  1. The CMASA October 2022 South Australia “Great Doctors’ Forum”

The “Great Doctors’ Forum” Program has been designed within the framework of professional development. We are delighted to announce its October 2022 Forum in South Australia. Please refer to the details below.

 

Time and Date 9:00am – 4:00pm Sunday, 23 October 2022
Venue City Medical Centre, 1/80 Grote St, Adelaide SA 5000
Keynote speech title Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Treatment of Shoulder and Neck Pain
Keynote speaker: Dr Xiaoning Li Graduated from Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine with a Bachelor’s degree in medical science, Dr Li completed a Master’s degree in acupuncture at RMIT University in 2013. Dr Li currently practices in Adelaide, South Australia.
Forum content With the high frequency of use of mobile phones and computers in our modern world, the rate of recurrent and lingering shoulder and neck pain continues to increase, and most complain of neck pain and limited mobility. This lecture will provide a specific and detailed analysis of this common shoulder and neck problem. It will offer a full coverage of different causes of shoulder and neck pain with characteristic acupuncture treatment, so that everyone’s clinical differentiation of syndromes is more accurate, and the treatment is more efficient.
Format Face to face interactive lectures only. Please note that there will be no online live Webinar.
Who should attend CMASA members
CPD 6 points (Formal)
Fees and payment

method

$50.00 (members), $100.00 (non-members)
Registration Prior to the Forum: In order to ensure that members can get the information and continuing professional education credits in a timely manner, please ensure to register in advance.
Contact details: Dr Yu Zheng, Secretary General Mobile: 0469545139

Email: zhengyulele@hotmail.com

Note: In respect of the speaker and colleagues, please mute or turn off your

mobile phones before the lecture.

5.  The First 2023 CMASA Advanced First Aid Certificate Course (NSW)

Please note that there is only a limited number of places available in the First 2023 CMASA Advanced First Aid Certificate Course in NSW.

 

Time Date 3:30 pm (AEST)

Sunday, 15 January 2023

 

Venue Suite 9,Level 1, 1 – 17 Elsie Street, Burwood NSW 2134

Please note that we are in the same building as Burwood RTA, next to RTA 1-17 doorway. You will pass a café before you get to the elevator on the ground floor lobby. Press the button in the lift for Floor One. After you exit the lift, you will find our office, Suite 9, on your righthand side.

Fee ·         $110 (CMASA member)

·         $130 (Non-members)

Payment Details: CMASA Bank Account: Commonwealth Bank A/C Name: CMASA Education

BSB: 062133

Account number: 18001600.

Please note the following:

·         With the payment, please make sure you specify FA+ membership number.

·         Please make your payment ASAP as there are only limited places available. Places are offered by the order of registration and payment.

·         After your payment, please email margaretdoc@hotmail.com the screenshot of your payment, your full name, date of the course, CMASA membership number (if applicable), mobile number and a scanned copy of your 100 point ID or your photo (Refer to the notes below for details of 100 point ID specification).

Contact Contact person in charge: Dr Margaret Wu

Email: margaretdoc@hotmail.com SMS: 0405 284 012

 

Specific training requirements:

  • Homework and related training materials or content will be emailed to the trainees upon receiving the evidence of your payment.
  • When you attend the training, please bring: 1) a pen and your completed homework; and 2) the original copies of the 100-point ID documents to be photocopied for record

Other matters:

  • The Advanced First Aid Certificate Course (HLTAID011) is delivered in Mandarin (standard Chinese).
  • This certificate is recognised by the Australian Government, valid for 3 years. The certificate will be available on the same
  • This certificate is an important credential for engaging in practising massage, acupuncture or other healthcare work, as well as getting private insurance

A reminder that during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is important to note:

  • If you feel unwell and have flu-like symptoms, please do not participate in the training. Please notify Dr Margaret Wu (SMS: 0405 284 012) as soon as
  • Please prepare a mask and wear it while attending the first aid

 

About the 100 points ID:

  • Please remember to bring the original 100-point ID with you, and they need to make a copy on the spot.
  • Attend the training as the person identified on the ID, and do not be late for the
  • 100-point ID proof (please refer to the following details for score calculation):
  • Passport (current) – 70 points
  • Australian Citizenship – 70 points
  • Australian Driver’s License (current) – 40 points
  • NSW Photo Card (valid) – 40 points
  • Medicare card – 25 points
  • Bank Card (Australia) – 25 points
  • Bank statement or confirmation of opening a bank account – 25 points
  • Registration document for buying a car in Australia – 25 points

One phone bill or one housing utility bill e.g. water bill, gas bill, electricity bill (within the last three months) – 25 points