Nederlandse Vereniging voor Traditionele Chinese Geneeskunde (ZHONG)
Dutch Association of Chinese Traditional Medicine
Salverdaplein 15
6700 AG Wageningen
Netherlands
T +31 317 423505
F +31 317 451996
info@zhong.nl
Contact Marcus Wijinalda (Chairman)
ETCMA Representative Klaas Kromhout (EC Member)
Website www.zhong.nl
Founding date of the organisation: 1993
Membership information
Members: 859
Member categories
- Practicing membership: persons graduated at Bachelor level in a TCM discipline and basics of Western medicine (WMB) at an institute recognised by Zhong and practicing for at least 2 day parts per week on average
- Student membership: persons having finished the basics in TCM and studying at an institute recognised by Zhong
- Non practicing membership: persons studying at an institute recognised by Zhong, or persons having graduated at an institute recognised by Zhong but practicing less than 2 day parts per week on average.
- Honorary members: people who made great contribution to TCM society; members who retired from their professionals permanently.
Membership fee
- Practicing member: € 440 (per calendar year)
- Student member: € 95 (per calendar year)
- Non practicing member: € 225 (per calendar year)
- Honorary member: free
Basic training required
TCM theory: 840 hours; 4200 self study hours
Western medicine: 420 hours; 2100 self study hours
Practical training: 560 hours
Clinical training: 280 hours
Professional thesis: 104 hours, mandatory
Certificate of Good Conduct
First Aid certificate
Medical Ethics
Psychology (will be implemented)
Health law and regulation
Communicating skills
International Diploma Evaluation from NUFFIC or IDW (in case of foreign (i.e. not Dutch or Flemish) diploma in TCM)
Required continuing education
- 108 hours in a three year’s period (now: 2011-2013). Evaluation end 2013. Mandatory
Requirements for continuing membership
Agreement to abide by Zhong Professional Code
Certificate of First Aid and BLS
Insurance for Professional liability
Insurance for Legal assistance (recommended)
Regular practice inspection
Continuing professional education
Minimum in practicing hour
Becoming a member - Send application form with required documents (copies) - pay administration fee - file (if complete) checked by Admission committee - in case of approval by Admission committee: either admittance as a member or invitation for a ballot (in case of a not recognised diploma in TCM at Bachelor level)
Ballot: the candidates need to take a challenging exam both on theory and practical by one of the Zhong recognized institutions. After passed the exam, oral presentation of 5 practical cases for 2 members of Zhong Admission committee. After approval of ballot:
Admittance as a member
Pay membership and insurance fees and vouch for Zhong shield
Registration as a Zhong member
Legal situation in the Netherlands - There is neither legal recognition nor restrictions to practice TCM/acupuncture in the Netherlands. Costs for acupuncture treatments can be reimbursed to a certain amount per year depending on one's insurance policy and if the practitioner is a member of the professional organizations that are recognized by insurance companies.
Chinese herbs and herbal products are classified as foods and food supplements and they can be imported and marketed without registration or notification. Costs of these products are, however, not reimbursable.
Funding of treatment - In general clients of a TCM practitioner need to pay for their own treatment. Depending on the rules of their additional health insurance a health insurance may pay for their treatment. Quite often there is a maximum for reimbursement per treatment or a maximum for an annual reimbursement. The rules for reimbursement vary per health insurance. Health insurances do require that a therapist is a member of a professional TCM organization.
