Sare 2019 Examination Syllabus
Sare 2019 Examination Syllabus
Sare 2019 Examination Syllabus
Examination Syllabus
and
Information for Candidates
考试大纲 及 应试须知
2019
CONTENTS
Introduction ............................................................................ 1
Candidates taking SARE are expected to have basic knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine
fundamentals, traditional Chinese medicine diagnostics and knowledge and techniques of acupuncture and
moxibustion.
SARE comprises a written Case Analysis and Channel Route paper, 2 multiple-choice written
papers (one on TCM Basic Theories and TCM Diagnostics and one on Acupuncture and Moxibustion) and
a clinical assessment (a face-to-face appraisal on acupuncture/manipulation techniques, moxibustion,
cupping and clinical acupuncture).
1 Concept of Holism
2 Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment
1 Implication of Yin-Yang and the categorization of things according to the nature of Yin Yang
2 Interaction between Yin and Yang
3 Applications of the Yin-Yang Theory in TCM
1 The implication of five elements and the categorization of the things according to the theory of
the five elements
2 Interactions among the five elements
3 Application of the Five Elements Theory in TCM
1 Basic concepts and physiological functions of the five Zang- viscera (i.e., the heart, the lung, the
spleen, the liver and the kidney)
2 Relationships among the five Zang- viscera
a) Relationship between the heart and the lung
b) Relationship between the heart and the spleen
c) Relationship between the heart and the liver
d) Relationship between the heart and the kidney
e) Relationship between the lung and the spleen
f) Relationship between the lung and the liver
g) Relationship between the lung and the kidney
h) Relationship between the liver and the spleen
i) Relationship between the liver and the kidney
j) Relationship between the spleen and the kidney
3 Relationships between the five Zang- viscera and the body, the sensory organs and the orifices
1 Concept and physiological functions of six Fu- Organs, i.e., the gallbladder, the stomach, the
small intestine, the large intestine, the bladder and the triple energizer)
2 Relationships among six Fu- Organs
3 Relationships among the five Zang- viscera and six Fu- Organs
a) Relationship between the heart and the small intestine
b) Relationship between the lung and the large intestine
c) Relationship between the spleen and the stomach
d) Relationship between the liver and the gallbladder
e) Relationship between the kidney and the bladder
1 The characteristics and physiological functions of the extraordinary Fu-organs (including brain
and uterus)
Unit 10 Pathogenesis
1 Principles of prevention
2 Therapeutic principles
Unit 1 Inspections
3 Inspection of tongue
1 Listening to sound
a) Speech
b) Respiration
c) Cough
d) Hiccup and belching
2 Olfaction
a) Smelling body odour
1 Methods of palpation
2 Palpation of the abdomen and chest
3 Palpation of all four limbs
4 Palpation of acupoints
Unit 3 Acupoints
1 General description
a) Flow distributions of each channel
b) Disease treatment outline of each channel
2 Location and main disease treatment of commonly used acupoints
Conception Vessel 任脉
Zhongji (CV 3) 中极 Guanyuan (CV 4) 关元
Qihai (CV 6) 气海 Shenque (CV 8) 神阙
Xiawan (CV 10) 下脘 Zhongwan (CV 12) 中脘
Danzhong (CV 17) 膻中 Tiantu (CV 22) 天突
Lianquan (CV 23) 廉泉 Chengjiang (CV 24) 承浆
2 Manipulation
a) Insertion
b) Angle and depth of insertion
c) Manipulation and arrival of qi
d) Reinforcing (Tonify) and reducing (Disperse) methods
e) Retention and withdrawal of the needle
1 Classification of moxibustion
2 Moxibustion with other materials
3 Precautions (Points to note)
4 Contraindications
5 Management after moxibustion
Unit 8 Cupping
1 Types of Cups
2 Types of Cup-sucking Methods
3 Therapeutic Cupping Methods
4 Effects & Indications for Cupping
5 Removal of Cups & Precaution (Points to note)
6 Contraindications
Urticaria
Herpes zoster
Sprain and soft tissue Injury
(Cervical Spondylopathy, Elbow Strain, Periarthritis of Shoulder)
Tinnitus / Deafness
Nasosinusitis
Toothache
3 Medical Records
a) Medical records shall include particulars of patients and shall be clear, accurate and legible
and shall be made at the time a consultation takes place.
b) All clinical details, investigation results, discussion on treatment options, informed consents
and treatment by herbal medicines or TCM procedures and prescriptions (including
acupoints prescribed and used in treatment) should be documented.
1 Format of SARE
2 Examination Duration:
3 Examination Schedule
Part 1
Case Analysis and Channel Route
TCM Basic Theories and TCM Diagnostics
Acupuncture & Moxibustion
Part 2
Acupuncture Oral Appraisal
4 Contents of SARE:
A Written Papers:
Candidates are required to write all information obtained from the 4 analytical skills, TCM
diagnosis, syndrome differentiation, pathogenesis, principle of treatment, principle channels,
acupoints prescriptions (main and supplementary), insertion and manipulation techniques,
course of treatment (including needle retention time, treatment interval time and duration of
treatment), prescription explanation, and TCM medical advice accordingly.
Candidates are required to describe the running route of one channel (anyone from the 12
regular channels, the governor vessel or the conception vessel, inclusive of their branches).
В Clinical Appraisals:
2. Contents
a) Acupoint Locating
Each question paper has 10 acupoints for locating.
The candidate is required to verbally describe the location of each acupoint,
verbally describe and demonstrate the method used to locate the required
acupoint and locate it by pointing on the live model.
b) Manipulation Techniques
Each question paper has 5 questions, contents as follows:
i. 3 questions on acupuncture manipulation technique (including sterilization
methods and techniques, choice of needles, insertion techniques, manipulation
techniques), moxibustion techniques, cupping techniques and other issues of
concern.
The candidate is required to describe the required manipulation techniques and
demonstrate the required manipulation techniques on cushions provided and
answer questions from the examiners.
3. Duration
20 minutes
(Acupoint locating to be tested first, followed by acupuncture manipulation
techniques / clinical acupuncture)
The following are the standard reference textbook series for SARE 2017:
A Type A Question
Each question is provided with 5 answers A, B, C, D and E for selection. Select the most appropriate
answer for each question and shade the circle bearing the selected alphabet on the Answer Sheet.
Example 1:
Which one of the following exogenous pathogens is characterized by heaviness and turbidity?
A Cold
B Dryness
C Damp
D Summer Heat
E Fire (C)
Example 2:
Two questions are provided with 5 answers A, B, C, D, and E for selection, with the questions placed
below the answers. Select the correct answer for each question and shade the circle bearing the
selected alphabet on the Answer Sheet. Each answer can be selected once or more than once, or not
selected at all.
Example 3:
(3a) The pathogenesis for neck rigidity and muscle spasm is: (B)
(3b) The pathogenesis for tidal fever, night sweating and limbs squirm is: (C)
Example 4:
A Fever.
B Fullness in the epigastrium.
C Diarrhoea due to pervasive flow of qi.
D Cough and asthma due to pathogenic cold and heat.
E Heaviness of the body and painful joints.
You are required to write all information obtained from the 4 analytical skills, TCM
diagnosis, syndrome differentiation, pathogenesis, principle of treatment, principle channels,
acupoints prescriptions (main and supplementary), insertion and manipulation techniques,
course of treatment (including needle retention time, treatment interval time and duration of
treatment), prescription explanation, and TCM medical advice accordingly.
Case 1
Patient:
Tan X X, Married, 34years old, Manager. Non-smoker, social drinker, no drug allergy.
Chief Complaint:
Abrupt onset and severe pain in the left upper abdominal region for the past 2 days.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Asking Main Complain Abrupt onset and severe pain in the left upper
abdominal region for the past 2 days.
2. Supplementary:
LR 3 Taichong 太冲
2. Manipulation:
Disperse
TCM medical Advice 1. Good diet habit, avoiding raw, cold and greasy,
pungent and spicy food.
2. Stay away from allergic sources
3. Stop smoking and drinking.
4. Suitable exercise.
You are required to describe the running route of the Large Intestine Channel of Hand
Yangming, inclusive of its branch(es).
Describe the channel flow of the Large Intestine Channel of Hand Yangming.
Model Answer
There are 20 acupoints in the surface pathway of the large Intestine channel.
The branch:
The surface pathway of the channel continues to ascend laterally from the SC fossa, past the neck to the
corners of the mouth, crossing the philtrum and onto the opposite naso-labial groove (LI 20 Yingxiang 迎香).
1 Acupoints Locating
You are required to verbally describe the location of each acupoint, verbally describe and
demonstrate the method used to locate the required acupoint and locate it by pointing on the body
of the live model.
(1) LU 1 Zhongfu 中府
(2) LI 20 Yingxiang 迎香
(4) CV 23 Lianquan 廉泉
(5) GV 14 Dazhui 大椎
(6) SI 3 Houxi 后溪
(8) PC 5 Jianshi 间使
(9) BL 40 Weizhong 委中
2 Manipulation Techniques
Please answer and demonstrate the techniques to the questions below, and answer any relevant
questions from the examiners:
(1) Describe and demonstrate the needling technique for acupoint TE 6 Zhigou 支沟 (including
sterilization methods and techniques, choice of needle, insertion technique and
manipulation technique as required).
(2) Describe and demonstrate the technique of moxibustion using ginger.
(3) Describe and demonstrate the technique of retain cupping (inclusive of cup removal), and
discuss the points to note when performing cupping treatment.
3 Clinical Acupuncture
(1) What is the clinical application of the acupoints BL 57 Chengshan 承山 and ST 8 Touwei 头
维.
(2) Describe the management of bent needle.