【參訪交流】歡迎西雅圖Bastyr University
在九月底時，斗六分院迎來了兩位嬌客。
（左：嬑璨 中：邱炳琳院長 右：Nancy）
來自美國的Nancy、為西雅圖巴斯帝爾大學東方針灸醫學系在校生，常聽友人嬑璨（註一）提起從小在斗六一品堂的就診經驗，並深知中醫的博大精深、且因地域環境和生活方式的不同有其獨特性，隨友人此次返台，希望能到一品堂參觀交流，讓視野提升、也能將這裡的學習帶回到美國分享給更多的人。
（註一：嬑璨為台灣人、巴斯帝爾大學碩士畢業生，目前於美國的中醫領域發展）
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（註二：位於美國華盛頓州西雅圖的巴斯帝爾大學是北美認可的最大的自然療法醫學學校，有「自然醫學的哈佛大學」之稱。）
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資料出處：維基百科、巴斯帝爾大學官網
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Nancy在一品堂跟診為期一週，嬑璨在美國已看診、此行主要擔任Nancy的隨行翻譯。Nancy未來打算在美國從事中醫醫療工作；嬑璨想更精進自己的婦科專長，在一品堂這段時間也向劉春蘭醫師跟診交流，對一品堂活動的參與也非常地積極熱情，曾隨邱炳琳院長參與雲林縣樟湖國小的義診活動。
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下面是嬑璨和Nancy於離開台灣時，寫給一品堂家人的兩封信：
時間過得很快，我從小在一品堂看病，現在我已經是一個碩士畢業生。
我常常跟我的同學分享我在台灣看中醫的經驗，大家都很羨慕我的經驗，並且希望有一天他們可以一起在一品堂學習交流。一品堂是一個非常有企業化經營管理，卻有著人性化的醫療系統。在那裏每個醫生都跟病人和他們的家人們為友，大家就像一個大家庭，互相鼓勵、互相幫助。
當初決定要走中醫這條路是因為我個人身體因素，當時的我在讀化學系，剛好在分解我在吃的止痛藥，只能說我終於看到西藥的恐怖。我從小大部分生病的時候都是吃中藥，這讓我更堅定知道中醫的好。
這次我要特別的感謝邱院長，王副院長，劉春蘭醫師，王子偉醫師和林凱培醫師讓我們有機會學習，每位醫師都很優秀，他們有著自己的專長，教導我們更是不藏私的花費精神跟時間。中醫不是像西醫有一定SOP，有時候你必須用不一樣的方法去看一個病人，這也是中醫奇妙的地方，每個醫生都有自己不一樣的處方去看相同的病。這也是我在一品堂學到的許多經驗。
再次感謝一品堂給我的機會，我學習到許多的經驗，如果有機會，歡迎大家來美國參觀與交流。謝謝!
嬑璨
好東西跟好朋友分享。（Nancy很喜歡台灣的飲料）
順帶一提，Nancy覺得一品堂的原子筆很可愛，還特地帶回美國收藏紀念呢！
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While I was excited to come home and return to school, I am sad to have left Taiwan, my preceptorship at Yi pin tang and the new friends I have made there. Taking on a preceptorship is a big commitment in itself, let alone a preceptee that does not speak the language. I will forever be grateful for being given the opportunity and for having such an experience.
雖然帶著開心的心情要回家和學校，但心裡卻是五味雜陳，因為即將離開台灣，要跟一品堂的朋友說再見，不知下次再碰面是什麼時候。當初決定到一個語言陌生的環境跟診學習是一個很大挑戰，但在這裡我由衷地感謝大家給我的指導與機會。
From the beginning I felt welcomed by the staff and patients. When I had questions the doctors always took the time to explain what was going on and when there was a language gap, my good friend Yi-Tsan was there for us. The patients were always willing to tell their story, they were happy to let me take a little extra time to feel their pulse or to have the Doctor take a little extra time to explain something to me.
從一開始，我就感覺到大家友善的接待，所有的醫生和朋友嬑璨並不會因為語言的隔閡，每當我疑惑時，總是不怕麻煩跟我解釋。病人們也願意多花時間與我們分享他們的故事。
During my stay at Yi pin tang I learned about the value of community. Community in the work place as well as a sense of belonging in the community you live in. In America we keep our ailments hidden and only discuss what is wrong with us behind closed doors. Aches, pains and diseases are rarely discussed with those around you. There is a sense of shame or embarrassment around what is wrong with you. This mentality does not do anything for us except cause more isolation. While at Yi pin tang I watched doctors that were not only co-workers but friends. I saw entire families come in for treatment, sometimes it was one after the next, but often they would come in as a group and they would all contribute. I even saw people bringing in their neighbors as though they were their own family. Seeing these close relationships warmed my heart, not only toward the people I was watching but for the culture as well.
在一品堂的期間，我看到診所內團體與社區的精神和力量，在美國大家把自己的病痛隱藏起來，只願意在一個私人的空間討論病情，對我們美國人來說，討論疾病是一種尷尬的狀態。在一品堂，不管是醫師還是助理，大家與病人都是一家人朋友的感覺，我常常看到一整家子或是鄰居朋友一起來看病。這種感覺是非常溫馨的。
I also learned about how much you can really accomplish with a good team. Seeing 100+ patients in 3 hours is unheard of in an America acupuncture clinic, but all the Doctors were able to flawlessly and comfortably move through their day. The assistants anticipated the needs of both the Doctors and the patients and were on top of all of their duties. Those girls are indispensable and a true blessing.
我也學習到效率，在美國你從來不會看過或聽過在三個小時內看一百多個病人。所有的醫師有自信與完美無瑕的把所有病人照顧好。助理們更是厲害，把一切狀況掌握的如魚得水。
I was also touched by the use of acupuncture with children, people with mental disorders and those that would not have been able to afford acupuncture and herbal medicine if they had been in America. It is not common to treat children with acupuncture and herbs in America, and there is almost zero experience with children or handicapped in our teaching clinical experience. I was very nervous when I started at Yi pin tang to work with children and the mentally handicapped, but by the end found them to be some of my favorite patients to work with. In America the average acupuncture session is $100 US dollars. This is unobtainable for most people, if you do have the money you will likely only come in once a week but not every day. Having acupuncture affordable enough for daily use is a game changer. I meet people who may not have had much potential for a normal life after horrific accidents, walking, talking and getting around on their own just fine. I meet people who were given another chance at life because of acupuncture and herbs.
當我看到那些遲緩兒滿頭針，雖然不捨但讓我很感動，這在美國醫療系統你所看不到的。兒童針灸不是常見的醫療，在教學門診的學習過程中，我從來沒有看過一個兒童病人。在美國一次針灸平均大約美金一百元（換算台幣約2900元），這不是每個人都負擔的起，就算你可以負擔，大部分人都只會一個禮拜一次。在一品堂我看到許多重大車禍或其他傷害造成他們行動或語言的不便，經過他們不間斷的中醫治療，他們就像正常人一樣，就像給他們重生的機會。
In my short time at Yi pin tang I became more comfortable trusting myself. In clinicals at my school we take a full hour per patient, we try to go over every aspect of their life and must be able to justify every point we choose. While I see its value in a teaching setting, this is not a good way to prepare us for a practice outside of school. I learned to trust my eyes, my judgement and how to read people better. Even though my stay was short, I feel it immensely helped my pulse taking ability. Having so many pulses to take back to back made me much more comfortable with pulses. These experiences have helped my confidence and makes me look forward to practicing outside of school even more.
在短短的一個禮拜中，我學習到相信自己。在美國，我們花一個小時看一個病人，我們要詢問各方面，然後去讓每個穴位合理化，我理解學校希望我們了解每個穴位的功能，但這並不代表在實際的操作中都是一樣照著教科書走，這讓我瞭解什麼叫實戰經驗。
Through my preceptorship at Yi pin tang I have been inspired to finish my studies of TCM. I want to stay in school to include Chinese herbs in my studies. After seeing the benefits people get from daily herbs and acupuncture I have been re-inspired and have found an even deeper love for our medicine. To everyone at Yi pin tang, thank you so much for the experience of a life time. Your kindness will never be forgotten.
我本來只有學針灸，經過一品堂的學習，我決定回學校完成中藥的課程，中藥是每天都可以讓病人在家裡治療，我也看到許多病人們的效果，也更加堅定知道中醫的奇妙。再次感謝一品堂給我機會，我會永遠記得這個難得的經驗。
Nancy Palmer
