Articles Vol. 66 No. Vol 67. English Version No 2 11/06/2026

SURVEY ON THE NEED FOR APPLICATION OF AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE IN TREATMENT AT VINH LONG PROVINCIAL TRADITIONAL MEDICINE HOSPITAL

Nguyen Ngo Le Minh Anh1, Luu Thi Phuong Truc1, Le Thi Kim Yen1, Nguyen Quang Hien1
1 University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City
DOI: 10.52163/yhc.v66i8.4060
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Keywords
Auricular acupuncture, demand, traditional medicine, Health Belief Model.
Abstract

Objective: To assess the demand for auricular acupuncture among patients and the perceived need for applying this technique in treatment among traditional medicine physicians at Vinh Long Provincial Traditional Medicine Hospital 

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 385 patients and 21 traditional medicine physicians at Vinh Long Provincial Traditional Medicine Hospital from November 2023 to May 2024. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) on a five-point Likert scale and analyzed using Stata 14.2.

Results: A total of 78.2% of patients expressed a desire to receive auricular acupuncture, while 81% of physicians indicated willingness to apply the technique in clinical practice. The main barriers reported by patients included: the method not yet implemented in the hospital (60%), concerns about cost, and mild discomfort. Most physicians (61.9%) believed that the hospital lacked sufficient equipment for implementation; however, two-thirds stated that they would be confident in performing auricular acupuncture if provided with adequate training and professional support.

Conclusion: Both patients and healthcare staff at Vinh Long Provincial Traditional Medicine Hospital demonstrated a high demand for the use and implementation of auricular acupuncture. Strengthening training activities, technical workshops, and infrastructure investment is essential to establishing auricular acupuncture as a routine therapeutic technique in the hospital.

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