Online consultations are becoming increasingly common in Malaysia. A common question from people preparing for their first online consultation is, "What should I prepare for my first online TCM consultation?" This article provides a practical checklist to help you get ready before your appointment.

What This Is

An online TCM consultation is a video call session with a registered TCM practitioner. During the session, the practitioner will ask about your health concerns, lifestyle, and medical history, and may ask you to show your tongue or share a photo for reference. The entire process takes place remotely, making it suitable for follow-ups, general inquiries, and those who wish to understand how TCM views their health condition.

It is important to note that online consultations have limitations. The practitioner cannot perform pulse diagnosis or physical palpation. In cases where a physical examination is needed, the practitioner may advise you to seek a medical doctor's assessment or visit a physical clinic for a more complete evaluation.

What to Prepare Before the Session

1. A List of Medications You Are Currently Taking

This is the most important item. Please prepare a list of all medications you are currently taking, including:

• Western medications (prescription and over-the-counter)
• TCM patent medicines (中医成药)
• Concentrated scientific TCM granules (浓缩科学中药)
• Supplements or vitamins

For each item, note the name, dosage, and frequency. If you are unsure of the exact name, take a photo of the packaging and save it on your phone. This list helps the practitioner make more informed decisions when prescribing TCM patent medicines or concentrated scientific TCM granules.

A note: this section is general information only. For conditions like these, follow your doctor's diagnosis and treatment, and seek medical attention when you need it.

2. A List of Questions You Want to Ask

Consultation time is limited. It is helpful to write down your questions in advance. For example:

• How would TCM interpret my current discomfort within its theoretical framework?
• What is the difference between TCM patent medicines and concentrated scientific TCM granules?
• Should I space out my Western medication and TCM medicine?
• Are there any lifestyle or dietary adjustments I should consider?

Write these questions on paper or in your phone's notes app, and bring them up one by one during the session.

3. A Quiet, Well-Lit Corner

A clear image and stable internet connection are essential for an online consultation. Please choose a spot that is:

• Well-lit (natural light is best; avoid backlighting)
• Quiet and free from interruptions
• Stable in terms of internet connection

If you are using a phone, consider using a stand to keep the camera steady.

How to Take a Tongue Photo

Tongue observation is an important reference in TCM pattern differentiation. Please follow these steps:

1. Take the photo in natural light. Do not use beauty filters.
2. Open your mouth and extend your tongue naturally. Do not curl it forcefully.
3. Take one photo of the front of the tongue and one of the side (you may ask someone to help).
4. Avoid coffee, tea, or coloured food before the photo, as these may affect the tongue coating.

The above describes how the photo is taken. As for the significance of tongue appearance in TCM theory, it belongs to the theoretical framework of channels and qi-blood, which is not the same as modern physiological explanations.

For the full method — lighting, timing, angle and the five common mistakes — see how to take a useful tongue photo.

What Happens During the Session

In TCM clinics that provide online consultation services, the general process is as follows:

1. The practitioner confirms your identity and basic information.
2. The practitioner asks about your main discomfort, duration, and frequency.
3. The practitioner may ask to see your tongue photo or live image.
4. Based on the information gathered, the practitioner explains your condition within the TCM theoretical framework.
5. If appropriate, the practitioner prescribes TCM patent medicines or concentrated scientific TCM granules, with instructions on how to take them.
6. A follow-up appointment may be scheduled to monitor progress.

This clinic currently offers online consultations; in-person services have not yet been launched. The process described above is a general outline of common practice among TCM services offering online consultation and does not specifically describe this clinic's own operations.

What to Tell the Practitioner

In addition to your medication list, please inform the practitioner if you:

• Are pregnant or planning to conceive
• Are currently under the care of other healthcare professionals
• Have a history of allergies (especially drug allergies)
• Have recently undergone surgery or been hospitalised
• Have a pacemaker (心脏起搏器)

This information may influence the practitioner's assessment and prescribing decisions. Please be honest and thorough.

Possible Reactions After the Session

Reactions to TCM patent medicines or concentrated scientific TCM granules vary from person to person. Changes are sometimes described in areas such as bowel habits, sleep, or energy levels. These changes do not necessarily indicate improvement or worsening. Please observe and take note.

Contact your practitioner if:

• Discomfort persists
• New symptoms appear that you have not described before
• You have questions about how to take the medicine

If you experience an emergency, call 999 or go to the nearest emergency department.

When Online Consultation Is Not Suitable

Online consultation is not suitable for all situations. The following conditions require immediate medical attention:

• Persistent high fever
• Severe pain
• Loss of consciousness or seizures
• Difficulty breathing
• Major trauma or bleeding

These are urgent conditions. Call 999 or go to the nearest emergency department without delay.

A note: this section is general information only. For conditions like these, follow your doctor's diagnosis and treatment, and seek medical attention when you need it.

For a fuller account of what belongs online and what needs a doctor, see when an online consultation is not the right choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the difference between an online TCM consultation and an in-person visit?

An online consultation does not include pulse diagnosis or physical palpation. It relies primarily on inquiry, tongue observation, and your description. An in-person visit allows for a more complete four-diagnosis assessment. Both approaches have their place and can complement each other.

Q2: Should I stop taking my Western medication before the consultation?

No. Do not stop any medication on your own. Inform the practitioner of all medications you are taking, and discuss any adjustments together. Any change in medication should be made in consultation with both your doctor and your TCM practitioner.

Q3: Can I use a beauty filter for my tongue photo?

No. Beauty filters alter the colour and coating of the tongue, which may affect the practitioner's assessment. Please use the original camera setting and take the photo in natural light.

Q4: Can I receive medication through an online consultation?

In Malaysia, registered TCM practitioners may prescribe TCM patent medicines or concentrated scientific TCM granules. Whether medication is prescribed depends on the outcome of the consultation and the practitioner's professional judgement.

Q5: How often should I have a follow-up consultation?

The frequency of follow-ups varies from person to person and depends on your condition and the practitioner's advice. You may ask the practitioner about the recommended follow-up schedule during the session.

Q6: How much does an online consultation cost?

HansMed Modern TCM's online consultation currently has two fee tiers: RM 35 if you do not pick a practitioner, and RM 55 if you choose one. Fees may be adjusted, so the amount shown on the booking page is the one that applies.

The consultation process is the same either way — the only difference is whether you select the practitioner yourself.

Booking runs in four steps: your concern, then the practitioner (or no preference), then the time slot, and finally review and pay.

👉 If you are unsure what you should prepare for a first online consultation, you are welcome to book an online consultation with HansMed, where a practitioner registered under the T&CM Act 2016 can assess it with you.

Sit with a licensed TCM practitioner from wherever you are.

HansMed Modern TCM

线上问诊在马来西亚越来越普遍，许多第一次尝试线上问诊的朋友都会想知道：「第一次线上看中医，到底要准备什么」。这篇文章整理了一份实用的准备清单，让您在预约之前，先把该备好的资料、该想好的问题、该调整的环境一次弄明白。

这是什么

线上看中医，指的是透过视频通话，由注册中医师与您进行看诊。看诊时，医师会询问您的身体状况、生活习惯、过往病史，并请您展示舌头照片或即时影像，作为辨证参考。整个过程不需要您亲自到诊所，适合复诊、咨询、以及初次想了解中医如何看待自己身体状况的人。

需要说明的是，线上问诊有其限制。医师无法进行脉诊或触诊，因此对于需要实体检查的情况，医师可能会建议您寻求西医的诊断，或日后到实体诊所进行更完整的评估。

看诊前要准备什么

1. 正在服用的药物清单

这是最重要的一项。请把您目前正在服用的所有药物列成清单，包括：

• 西药（处方药与非处方药）
• 中医成药
• 浓缩科学中药
• 保健品或营养补充品

每项请注明名称、剂量、服用频率。如果您不确定药名，可以把药盒或包装拍照存进手机。这份清单能让医师在开立中医成药或浓缩科学中药时，做出更周全的考量。

小提醒：本段仅为一般知识说明。相关情况请以西医的诊断与治疗为主，并在需要时及时就医。

2. 想问的问题清单

看诊时间有限，建议事先把想问的问题写下来。例如：

• 我目前的不适，在中医理论中可能属于哪一类问题？
• 中医成药和浓缩科学中药的服用方式有什么不同？
• 我正在服用的西药，需要和中药间隔多久？
• 生活作息或饮食上，有什么可以配合调整的方向？

把问题写在纸上或手机备忘录里，看诊时逐一提出，避免遗漏。

3. 安静、光线充足的角落

线上看诊需要清晰的影像和稳定的网络。请选择一个：

• 光线充足的地方（自然光最好，避免背光）
• 安静、不会被打断的房间
• 网络稳定的位置

如果使用手机，建议用支架固定，避免画面晃动。

舌头照片怎么拍

舌象是中医辨证的重要参考之一。请按照以下方式拍摄：

1. 在自然光下拍摄，避免使用美颜或滤镜。
2. 嘴巴张开，舌头自然伸出，不要用力卷曲。
3. 拍摄一张舌头正面、一张舌头侧面（可请家人协助）。
4. 拍摄前不要喝咖啡、茶或食用有色食物，以免影响舌苔颜色。

以上是对操作方式的描述。至于舌象在中医理论中的意义，属于经络与气血的理论框架，与现代生理学的解释不是同一回事。

完整的拍摄方式——光线、时间、角度与 5 个常见错误——可参考：舌头照片怎么拍。

看诊当下会发生什么

在提供线上问诊服务的中医诊所，一般流程是：

1. 医师会先确认您的身份与基本资料。
2. 接着询问您的主要不适、持续时间、发作频率。
3. 医师会请您展示舌头照片或即时影像。
4. 根据收集到的资讯，医师会在中医理论框架内说明您的身体状况。
5. 若适合，医师会开立中医成药或浓缩科学中药，并说明服用方式。
6. 医师会约定复诊时间，以追踪后续变化。

本诊所目前提供线上问诊，亲诊服务尚未推出，因此上述过程描述为提供线上问诊的中医服务中常见的流程，并非特指本诊所的具体作业流程。

看诊时该主动告知医师的事

除了药物清单，以下情况也请主动告知：

• 怀孕或正在备孕
• 正在接受其他医疗专业人员的治疗
• 有过敏史（尤其是药物过敏）
• 近期做过手术或住院
• 装有心脏起搏器

这些资讯会影响医师的判断与用药选择，请务必如实告知。

看诊后可能出现的反应

服用中医成药或浓缩科学中药后，身体反应因人而异。可能出现的变化，常被描述为排便、睡眠、精神等方面的不同。这些变化不必然代表好转或恶化，请观察并记录。

若出现以下情况，请联络您的医师：

• 不适感持续不退
• 出现新的、未曾描述过的症状
• 对用药方式有疑问

若出现紧急情况，请立刻拨打 999，或前往最近的急诊部。

不适用的情况

线上问诊并不适合所有情况。以下情况建议直接寻求西医的协助：

• 高烧不退
• 剧烈疼痛
• 意识不清或抽搐
• 呼吸困难
• 严重外伤或出血

这些属于急症范畴，请立刻拨打 999，或前往最近的急诊部，不要延误。

小提醒：本段仅为一般知识说明。相关情况请以西医的诊断与治疗为主，并在需要时及时就医。

哪些情况该直接就医、哪些适合线上先谈，另有一篇完整说明：哪些情况不适合线上问诊。

常见问题

Q1：线上看中医和实体看诊有什么不同？

线上看诊无法进行脉诊和触诊，主要依赖问诊、舌象和您提供的描述。实体看诊则能进行更完整的四诊合参。两者各有适用场景，可以互相补充。

Q2：我需要停掉正在服用的西药吗？

不需要。切勿自行停药。请在看诊时告知医师您正在服用的所有药物，医师会在中医理论框架内，与您讨论如何配合。任何用药调整都应与您的医生和中医师共同商议。

Q3：舌头照片可以用美颜相机拍吗？

不建议。美颜滤镜会改变舌色和舌苔的呈现，影响医师的判断。请使用原相机，在自然光下拍摄。

Q4：线上看诊可以开药吗？

在马来西亚，注册中医师可以开立中医成药或浓缩科学中药。实际开药与否，取决于看诊结果与医师的判断。

Q5：我该多久复诊一次？

复诊频率因人而异，取决于您的身体状况与医师的建议。看诊时可以向医师询问预计的复诊时间。

Q6：线上看诊的收费怎么算？

汉方现代中医的线上问诊，目前的收费分两种：不指定医师 RM 35，指定医师 RM 55。收费可能会调整，实际金额请以预约页面显示的为准。

两者的流程相同，差别只在于您是否自己挑选医师。

预约分四个步骤：先选择您关注的问题，再选择医师（或不指定），接着选择时段，最后确认并付款。

👉 如果您不确定「第一次线上问诊，我该准备些什么」，欢迎透过汉方中医的线上问诊，由依 2016 年 T&CM 法令注册的医师为您评估。

无论身在何处，与持证中医师对坐。

汉方现代中医