THỰC TRẠNG VÀ CÁC VẤN ĐỀ TỒN TẠI TRONG NĂNG LỰC LÂM SÀNG CHÂM CỨU CỦA SINH VIÊN Y HỌC CỔ TRUYỀN VIỆT NAM: NGHIÊN CỨU ĐỊNH TÍNH THEO PHƯƠNG PHÁP LÝ THUYẾT NỀN

Abstract

Background: Acupuncture is an essential non-pharmacological therapy in Vietnamese Traditional Medicine, yet graduates' acupuncture clinical competence and training-system challenges have not been systematically examined. Objectives: To describe the current status of acupuncture clinical competence among newly graduated Vietnamese Traditional Medicine students and to analyze the existing training-system problems affecting this competence. Materials and methods: A qualitative Grounded Theory study combined with the Problem-Centered Interview (PCI) method was conducted on 38 participants (experts, clinicians, lecturers and recent graduates) across 7 provinces/cities in three regions of Vietnam, 2024–2025. Data were coded in three levels using Atlas.ti with consensus between two coders. Results: Thirty-eight interviewees yielded 432 valid data units. Regarding competence, three categories were identified: 1. Lack of ability to evaluate acupuncture outcomes and self-competence; 2. Overall limitations in diagnosis, treatment and clinical management; 3. Limitations in acupoint localization, needling techniques and point combination. Regarding training, three categories emerged: 1. Insufficient personal professional development competence; 2. Limited clinical training resources and curriculum; 3. Lack of theory– practice coherence and consensus. Conclusion: Vietnamese Traditional Medicine graduates demonstrate notable limitations in acupuncture clinical competence, particularly in diagnosis, syndrome differentiation, needling techniques and self-assessment. The foremost priority is a standardized acupuncture competency assessment toolkit – a prerequisite for the competency standards of Decision 3159/QĐ-BYT to become effective.