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Acupuncture in Australian general practice: practitioner characteristics

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 11:03 authored by Easthope, G, Beiby, JJ, Gill, GF, Bruce TranterBruce Tranter
Objectives: To ascertain the extent of the use of acupuncture and the characteristics of general practitioners using acupuncture. Design: Secondary analysis of 1996 Health Insurance Commission data on claims by all non-specialist medical practitioners for Medicare Benefits Schedule items for an attendance where acupuncture was performed by a medical practitioner. Main outcome measures: Use of acupuncture by general practitioners and the practitioners' sex, age, place of primary medical qualification, and the socioeconomic disadvantage index of the practitioners' practice. Results: 15.1% of general practitioners claimed for acupuncture. Acupuncture was more likely to be provided by male practitioners, by those aged 35-54 years, and by practitioners who have an overseas primary medical qualification. The socioeconomic index of the practice did not significantly affect the number of claims for acupuncture. Conclusion: Acupuncture is used by about one in seven general practitioners. Its use is associated with middle-aged practitioners, who presumably have more clinical experience. This level of use by experienced doctors suggests that a critical review of the appropriate role of acupuncture in general practice should be considered.

History

Publication title

The Medical Journal of Australia

Volume

169

Issue

4

Pagination

197-200

ISSN

0025-729X

Department/School

School of Social Sciences

Publisher

Australasian Medical Publishing Co Ltd

Place of publication

Sydney

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in human society

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    University Of Tasmania

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