Table 2 Main constructs and themes identified from the discussions

A. Current helplessness about local career development

1. Lack of career and professional development opportunities

5

2. Difficulties in persevering commitment and tendency to leave the local TCM profession

12

B. Views on current post graduate training

1. Need to improve professional competency and status

10

2. Disappointment with current post graduate training

21

C. Desired reform in post graduate training

1. Supervised, practice based learning style

19

2. Progressive competency based training linked with career development

13

3. Training program accreditation and trainees' involvement in design and evaluation

20

D. Expressed educational needs beyond TCM

1. Better knowledge of western medicine for better integration and patient care

32

2. Better team working with other primary care professionals and better practitioner-patient communication

20