Program Description
The Essentials of Chinese Herbal Medicine was developed in response to the strong and persistent demand for basic training in herbal medicine by graduates of the UCLA/HMI medical acupuncture programs and members of the AAMA. In the tradition of Chinese medicine, herbal formulations work hand-in-hand with acupuncture to address problems inadequately treated by acupuncture alone, especially functional disturbances and chronic organ problems. Thanks to traditional herbal formulae prepared in the United States, a physician trained in medical acupuncture can now safely and responsibly incorporate this discipline in medical practice.

Dr. Arnold’s lectures start with the safety considerations in herbal prescribing, continue to the theoretical foundations of Chinese medicine and pathology syndromes of the organs, and concentrate on problems seen commonly in medical acupuncture clinics: respiratory problems, allergies, digestive disturbances, gynecologic problems, pain, and Shen disturbances. Chinese herbal medicine is a complex discipline. This videocourse curriculum provides the safe foundation for practitioners to learn practical prescribing of commercially prepared U.S. products.

Course Eligibility: The videotape curriculum is designed for physicians already trained and experienced in medical acupuncture, especially the graduates of the UCLA/HMI basic 220 and 300-hour programs. The program audience is restricted to licensed MDs and DOs in the United States and Canada who are practice members or practice membership eligible in the AAMA (minimum 200 hours of formal training). Viewing partners must also meet this criterion.

Program Objectives
With conscientious study, at the conclusion of this video training program you should be able to:
· Understand the safety and efficacy issues in prescribing U.S.-prepared Chinese herbal formulae;
· Possess a working knowledge of the fundamental vocabulary and diagnostic principles of TCM, adequate for basic herbal prescribing and for the ABMA examination;
· Responsibly analyze and diagnose medical acupuncture patient problems in the context of traditional Chinese herbal medicine;
· Safely prescribe herbal formulae for problems discussed in the lectures, and accurately evaluate patients’ responses to the prescriptions;
· Appreciate the strengths and limitations of the Chinese herbal discipline integrated into contemporary medical practice.

Faculty
Dr. Michael Arnold is well known to participants in the UCLA/HMI acupuncture programs and members of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture as a conscientious and dynamic teacher. He is one of very few physicians in the country who have undertaken complete studies in TCM following conventional medical and medical acupuncutre training. Dr. Arnold practices occupational medicine and medical acupuncture in Pacific Grove, California, and is on the AAMA board of directors.

Videocourse Curriculum
This home study CME activity includes:
· Up to 20 digitally mastered VHS videotapes or DVD videodiscs;
· Comprehensive program syllabus;
· Self-assessment examinations for each topic;
· Option for a viewing partner.

The videotape curriculum includes, in this order, the following titles:
· Introduction to Chinese Herbal Medicines (Tape 1)
· Classical Diagnostic Frameworks in Chinese Medicine (Tapes 2, 3, & 4)
· Herbs and Five Phases (Tape 5)
· Herbs and Body Constituents (Tape 6)
· Common Zang Fu Syndromes (Tapes 7 & 8)
· Acute Wind Invasion (Tapes 9 & 10)
· Allergies and Asthma (Tape 11)
· Herbal Formulae for Pain (includes Headaches) (Tapes 12 & 13)
· Digestive Disturbances (Tape 14)
· Gynecology (Tapes 15, 16, & 17)
· Shen States in Herbal Medicine (includes Hypertension and Sleep Disturbances) (Tapes 18, 19, & 20)

Videocourse Organization
The videotapes in Essentials of Chinese Herbal Medicine may be rented from the Medical Acupuncture Video Library as the entire course or by individual topics. “Introduction to Chinese Herbal Medicines” (one tape) and “Classical Diagnostic Frameworks in Chinese Medicine” (three tapes) are required viewing before starting the herbal series if you have not seen them as part of the UCLA/HMI basic program.

The program is comprehensive and integrated in its organization and order. If you wish to study the entire series you are encouraged to view the tapes in the listed sequence. If you wish to view them topic-by-topic, after viewing the four required tapes, you may watch them in any order you select.

The videotapes are rented through MAVL; you do not purchase them. Following the guidelines on the use agreement is required. You are allowed adequate time to complete the study before you return the tapes. You must complete the self-assessment examination for each topic with a score of 75% to obtain CME credit. The self-assessment forms are returned with the videotapes.

HMI allows one viewing partner to receive CME 1 credit if you order the entire set and pay an additional fee when you register. The viewing partner receives the videocourse syllabus and self-assessment examinations, and shares the cassettes or disks with you.

The videotapes are recorded in NTSC standard VHS format. The digital videodisks are recorded in DVD-R format (a.k.a. “DVD minus R”), which is recognized by most recent computers but not by all stand-alone players.

Videocourse Fees
Entire course, VHS or DVD: $900
Per tape or disk, ordered by topic: $50
Viewing partner, entire course $500

Accreditation
The Helms Medical Institute is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Helms Medical Institute designates this educational videocourse for a maximum of 50 hours in category 1 credit towards the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Physicians should claim only those hours of credit that they actually spent in the activity.

Estimated time to complete this continuing medical education activity is 2.5 hours per videotape, to a total of 20 videotapes, or 50 hours. The self-assessment examination must be completed and returned to obtain credit.

This CME activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME “Standards for Interpreting the Essentials as Applied to Continuing Medical Education Enduring Materials.” The term of approval for this continuing education activity is two years from the beginning distribution date of 1 February 2003, with options for renewal based on a reevaluation of the content.

Faculty Disclosure
As mandated by the ACCME, all faculty participating in continuing medical education programs sponsored by the Helms Medical institute are required to disclose to the audience any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the content of their presentation, as well as any discussions of the use of unapproved/unlabelled drugs or devices. HMI faculty also have formally agreed to announce the level of evidence upon which any clinically directed instruction is based. The names of faculty members declaring a potential conflict of interest will be shown in the syllabus.

Here's what the preceptors say about Essentials of Chinese Herbal Medicine:

“Mike constructs a bridge between western biomedicine and TCM and establishes a responsible grounding in Chinese herbal theory for the medical acupuncturist. Watching his lectures has allowed me to confidently prescribe herbal preparations for my patients.”
Nancy Cotter, MD, Physiatry
Morristown, NJ

“ Mike Arnold is a superb teacher. His presentation of TCM and herbs is a boon to western doctors trained in medical acupuncture.”
Kathy Bishop, MD, Anesthesiology
Tucson, AZ

“ His presentation cleared away my hesitations about using Chinese herbals in my acupuncture practice. It is very good basic training that allowed me to enter the world of herb medicine in a rational and disciplined fashion. I highly recommend this course. 5/5 stars!”
John Adams, MD, Integrative Medicine
Sedona, Arizona

“ Mike has condensed a bewilderingly large topic into an understandable and useful format. He has translated both the spirit and substance of herbal medicine so that I can now use it to help my patients.”
Richard Zweig, MD, Rheumatolgy
Santa Rosa, California