UNESCO GUIDELINES FOR ACTION TM - Benchmarks for education and training

Benchmarks for education and training 

Integrating different branches of medicine into a single health care system is a challenge for

countries where what is known as modern medicine predominates. It is essential for doctors

trained in modern medicine to learn about the cultures of indigenous peoples and respect their

beliefs and customs by obtaining more detailed information and reaching a better understanding of

traditional medicines and treatments. This is all the more important since users need to be

protected against the possible risks and harm that might arise from simultaneous use of traditional

and modern medicine. For their part, traditional practitioners should undergo appropriate training to

be able to work with and effectively complement the national health system.

The idea of drafting and disseminating international benchmarks for traditional-medicine training

that are developed through cooperation with practitioners seems very promising. It was such an

idea that underpinned the four-year cooperation agreement between WHO and the regional

government of Lombardy (Italy) which led to

the publication in 2010 of benchmarks for some

widespread traditional/complementary and alternative branches of medicine: Ayurveda,

naturopathy, Thai massage, osteopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, Tuina massage and Unani

medicine.

These benchmarks were intended to address what we

re seen as priority issues for developing

fruitful relations between traditional and modern m

edicine: (a) supporting countries in establishing

qualification and accreditation systems for practitioners; (b) assisting practitioners themselves to

upgrade their knowledge and skills through collaboration with other health care providers;

(c) facilitating better communication; (d) supporting integration of traditional medicine into national

health systems. Such tools should be improved for the purpose not only of better protecting

patients and consumers and broadening the scope for

them to make their own decisions but also

of improving mutual understanding between cultures.