Understanding the role of interpersonal mindfulness and other foundations of healing in a traditional Chinese medicine encounter: a qualitative study.

Background: The purpose of this study is to explore ways in which interpersonal mindfulness and other foundations of healing are manifested during the TCM encounter and how they may affect the practitioner-patient relationship and support health equity and quality of life.

Methods: US-based TCM practitioners with the following licenses-L.Ac., O.M., C.H.,-were recruited to participate in a 45-min recorded Zoom interview about their professional background, practitioner-patient interactions, and the role mindfulness may play in their professional practice. Using a Grounded Theory approach, research team members engaged in open, axial, and selective group-based coding to create higher-order categories and themes from the original codes. Saturation was documented.

Results: In total, 11 TCM practitioners were interviewed, resulting in 168 unique codes. Saturation was met for 81% of the codes. Axial coding yielded 16 higher-order categories, and four overarching themes: 1) Mindful Healing in TCM, which included the roles of intentional presence, emotional awareness of self and others, body anchored presence, and mindful responding; 2) Essentials of TCM Diagnosis, with emphasis on the patient narrative, body language, practitioner's mental health routine, and therapeutic touch; 3) Bridging Cultural Gaps in Education and Understanding, highlighting TCM's medical integration and modern acceptance and; 4) Practice Motivators & Logistics for practitioners.

Conclusions: This study offers important insights directly from TCM practitioners on the importance they place on creating an empathic and compassionate environment based on trust, awareness, and connection in order for healing to occur. This is consistent with TCM theory, which emphasizes mindful qualities, supporting holistic healing in physical and mental health.