International Online School of Acupuncture BHS program
Our International Online School of Acupuncture offers a structured postgraduate program in traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, with a 30-year tradition of continuous education for physicians and dentists.
The program is primarily intended for physicians and dentists with a valid professional licence. The program is conducted in the BHS (Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian) language. Practical clinical training is carried out in Ljubljana and Zagreb under professional supervision.
The program lasts nine months and includes 600 hours of education, combining theoretical lectures, seminars, practical exercises, clinical practice and independent study. The theoretical part is conducted online via Zoom, with permanent access to lecture recordings.
Special Knowledge: Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
Introduction
The Special Knowledge in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture program represents a school with a thirty-year tradition of continuous education of doctors and dentists.
Following modern educational trends and with the aim of making it easier for participants to access knowledge, in recent years the theoretical part of classes has been conducted via the Zoom platform, with permanent access to lecture recordings.
The program is led by Prof. dr. Edvin Dervišević, PhD, MD., with engagement:
- Prof. dr. Vedran Hadžić, Full Professor at the University of Ljubljana
- Vesna Dervišević, MD, specialist in anesthesiology
- Mirjam Golub, MD, specialist in anesthesiology
Other health professionals (eg physiotherapists, nurses and technicians, health therapists with relevant formal education), as well as specialists from complementary therapeutic areas with appropriate previous education, can join the program.
Attendees who are not doctors or dentists receive a certificate related to acupressure, electroacupuncture and laser acupuncture , but not to acupuncture in the invasive sense (puncturing with needles).
Credit points for professional development are requested and assigned separately for each program, seminar or study visit by the relevant professional chambers.
Program content (Syllabus outline)
• Introduction to traditional Chinese medicine – 5 hours
• Scientific basis of acupuncture – 5 hours
• Historical development of acupuncture – 5 hours
• Philosophy, anatomy and physiology in TCM – 5 hours
• Theory of Five Elements – 5 hours
• Yin–Yang theory – 5 hours
• Qi energy – 5 hours
• Organic Chinese class – 5 hours
• Etiology and pathogenesis of diseases according to TCM – 15 hours
• Diagnostics in TCM – 15 hours
• Pathology and pathophysiology of organs according to TCM – 5 hours
• Topography and anatomical measurements in acupuncture – 5 hours
• Acupuncture meridians – introduction – 5 hours
• Acupuncture points – general part – 5 hours
• Acupuncture points – regular meridians – 20 hours
• Extra meridians – 5 hours
• Acupuncture techniques – 5 hours
• Differentiation of syndromes – 15 hours
• Nature and function of specific points according to TCM – 5 hours
• Modern acupuncture techniques (electroacupuncture, laser acupuncture, acupressure) – 5 hours
• Main indications, complications and contraindications for acupuncture – 5 hours
• Treatment of acupuncture equipment (sterilization, storage, medical waste) – 5 hours
• Heating and cooling methods in acupuncture (moxibustion, suction cups) – 5 hours
• Methods of therapy in TCM – 5 hours
• Acupuncture in sports and rehabilitation – 10 hours
• Acupuncture treatment: strategy, principles of selection, sequence and combination of points – 5 hours
• Application of acupuncture in clinical practice: syndrome therapy – 20 hours
• Nutrition according to TCM based on syndrome differentiation – 5 hours
PROGRAM STRUCTURE – 600 hours
Lectures – 200 hours
Seminars – 100 hours
Exercises – 50 hours
Clinical exercises (practice) – 150 hours
Independent work – 100 hours
TOTAL: 600 HOURS
EXERCISES – 50 HOURS
Practical demonstrations, group work and guided case analyses with an emphasis on:
- clinical skills development
- syndrome differentiation
- proper selection of acupuncture points
- development of a therapeutic strategy
SEMINARS – 100 HOURS
- student presentations
- expert discussions
- critical analysis of literature
- connecting theory and clinical practice
INDEPENDENT WORK – 100 HOURS
- study of professional literature
- preparation of seminar papers
- deepening specific TKM topics
CLINICAL PRACTICE – 150 HOURS
Internship under the supervision of a mentor in the EU and partner institutions.
Distribution:
- Neurological diseases – 40 hours
- Locomotor system and rheumatology – 20 hours
- Gynecology – 20 hours
- Skin diseases – 5 hours
- Internal Medicine – 20 hours
- Mental health disorders – 20 hours
- Respiratory diseases – 10 hours
- Allergies – 5 hours
- Urinary system – 5 hours
- Other diseases – 5 hours
Program content (Thematic units)
- Introduction to TKM
- Scientific basis of acupuncture
- Historical development
- Five Elements Theory
- Yin–Yang Theory
- Qi energy
- Syndrome differentiation
- Diagnostics
- Meridians and acupuncture points
- Modern acupuncture techniques
- Therapeutic strategy
- Application in clinical practice
- Nutrition according to TCM
Organization of teaching
- Classes are held in Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian (BHS) language
- Theoretical part – online
- Recordings available permanently
- The school is accredited by the Croatian Medical Chamber
Price
Program in BHS language: 300 EUR per module
The practical part in the office of Prof. Dr. Dervišević in Ljubljana and with Dr. Arbanas in Zagreb is free of charge.
There is no charge for consultations, thesis defense, exams, or issuing certificates.
Calendar 2026/2027
Friday, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (with a break for lunch)
Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (with a lunch break)
October 2026 – 9., 10., 11.
November / November 2026 – 20., 21., 22.
December / December – 11., 12., 13.
January 2027 – 8., 9., 10.
February / February 2027 – 5., 6., 7.
March 2027 – 5., 6., 7.
April 2027 – 2., 3., 4.
May 2027 – 5., 6., 7., 8. (Auricula)
June – 4., 5., 6.
Diploma
After successfully passing the theoretical and practical exam, the participant receives a diploma from the Institute, recognized in EU countries, Switzerland and Australia.
We look forward to the new generation of students and the continuation of the tradition of professional excellence.