Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2005; 10: 35
Acupuncture and homoeopathy are two of the most widely used CAM therapies in the UK and their popularity continues to increase. Most UK CAM consultations still take place in a private setting. The possible integration of these CAM therapies into the NHS and how this could be organised is a heavily debated topic. Acupuncture and homoeopathy treatments are carried out by professional CAM practitioners or by medically qualified doctors. This study compares medically and non-medically qualified practitioners for these two therapies, providing information on the attitudes of the medical and non-medical practitioners as well as an audit of their practice, which will help to inform the integration debate and be useful in the design of future research.
Acupuncture and homoeopathy practitioners affiliated to four accredited organisations (n = 700) were included in the study. Each practitioner received a questionnaire specifically designed for the study covering conditions treated, the nature of the consultation, practice issues, views on medical theory, CAM research and opinions of other medical systems. Ethical approval was sought but not required for the study.
Significant differences between the medically and non-medically qualified homoeopaths included consultation times (P = 0.0001) and views on conventional medicine (P = 0.001). Preliminary analysis of the acupuncture study is currently underway and complete results of the study will be available by the symposium date.
The differences highlighted between medical and non-medical practitioners should be considered when discussing possible integration models for acupuncture and homoeopathy. Research designs should involve practitioners that provide a typical acupuncture or homoeopathy treatment as identified in this study.
