Introduction

　　The Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital was established as one of the first clinical departments at the hospital’s founding in 1989, with independent inpatient and outpatient services. Over the past three decades, the department has evolved significantly. In 2001, it was recognized as one of Shenzhen’s first “Model TCM Departments in General Hospitals”, establishing a strong reputation for integrating TCM and Western medicine in the management of geriatric diseases.

　　In 2007, the department led the formation of the Specialty Committee on Deficiency Syndromes and Geriatric Diseases under the Shenzhen Association of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine. It was later designated as Shenzhen’s Specialty TCM Department for Geriatric Diseases in 2008, a Key TCM Specialty for Geriatric Diseases in Guangdong Province in 2009, and one of the first “Famous TCM Specialties (Geriatric Diseases)” under Guangdong’s TCM Strengthening Program in 2010. In 2012, the department was recognized by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine as a National Demonstration Unit for TCM Work in General Hospitals, with its accreditation renewed in 2017.

　　In 2018, the Shenzhen Health Commission reaffirmed the department’s status as a Specialty Department for Geriatric Diseases Combining TCM and Western Medicine. In 2019, the department was approved as a Clinical Trial Institution for Medical Devices (GCP) and a National Clinical Trial Base for Geriatric Medicine under TCM internal medicine. Additionally, it serves as the core unit of the South China Regional TCM Geriatric Disease Treatment Collaboration Group. In 2023, it was recognized as one of the first Flagship Departments for TCM and Western Medicine Collaboration in Non-TCM Hospitals in Shenzhen.

　　Currently, the department integrates clinical care, teaching, and research, operating two outpatient clinics (main and branch hospitals) and one inpatient ward. Outpatient services are provided in six consultation rooms, offering subspecialties in geriatric diseases, nephrology, gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory diseases, endocrinology, musculoskeletal disorders, and dermatology. The inpatient ward has 38 approved beds with 39 beds currently in use.