Creating success in a traditional, complementary medicine practice

Title : Creating success in a traditional, complementary medicine practice

Abstract:

Success in Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) practice requires more than clinical expertise. Effective patient communication, comprehensive documentation, standardized treatment planning, and outcome measurement are essential components of a sustainable and successful healthcare practice. This workshop presents practical systems that practitioners can immediately implement to improve patient engagement, clinical efficiency, documentation quality, and professional accountability. Participants will explore methods for conducting a comprehensive initial healthcare history and patient interview while maintaining a separate consultation process for herbal medicine and herbal formula recommendations. Special emphasis will be placed on the development and delivery of the Report of Findings (ROF), a structured communication process that enhances patient understanding, informed consent, treatment acceptance, and adherence to care recommendations. The workshop will demonstrate how acupuncture and herbal medicine practitioners can document encounters using an expanded SOAP note format that accommodates dual coding  of clinical services and supports both acupuncture and herbal interventions within a single patient encounter. Attendees will learn practical approaches to integrating treatment protocols, patient progress tracking, and outcome measures while maintaining clear clinical records. A significant portion of the presentation will introduce the World Health Organization's International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI) framework and its application within TCIM documentation. Participants will learn how to incorporate ICHI concepts into the Planning section of SOAP notes by identifying intervention Targets, Actions, and Means, thereby creating a standardized language for describing clinical interventions and supporting future interoperability with healthcare systems worldwide. Throughout the session, customizable templates and clinical examples will be provided, including intake forms, consultation documents, Reports of Findings, herbal consultation records, expanded SOAP notes, and ICHI-based treatment planning forms. These practical tools are designed to improve workflow efficiency, support regulatory compliance, enhance patient outcomes, and contribute to the long-term success of traditional and complementary medicine practices.

Biography:

Marilyn Allen's journey into the healing arts of Traditional Medicine began over 35 years ago She currently serves as the Vice President of The American Acupuncture Council, a division of Allied Professional Insurance Company, and advocates for Traditional Medicine worldwide. She currently teaches Career Development, Practice Management, Laws and Ethics at seventeen of the Acupuncture and Chiropractic schools in the United States. In 2005 she was appointed as a delegate to the World Health Organization for Traditional Medicine. She serves on the Technical Advisory Group for point location, standardization of 4000 terms and in 2010 expanded into developing a classification for ICD-TM-II. She also serves on the Quality of Care and Patient Safety TAG. She also serves on the International Standards Committee to create standards for herbs, herbal formulas, needle manufacturing and updated terminology. Her mission is to advance Traditional Medicine globally and to help produce skilled practitioners, that can serve the global citizens to have choices with their healthcare.