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Acupuncture in Australian general practice: patient characteristics
Citation
Easthope, G and Gill, GF and Beilby, JJ and Tranter, BK, Acupuncture in Australian general practice: patient characteristics, The Medical Journal of Australia, 170, (6) pp. 259-262. ISSN 0025-729X (1999) [Refereed Article]
Abstract
Objective: To ascertain the incidence of acupuncture claims and the characteristics of patients claiming for acupuncture. Design: Secondary analysis of Health Insurance Commission data on claims for acupuncture performed by a medical practitioner. Participants: A summary of all Medicare acupuncture claims for financial years 1984-85 to 1996-97 and a random sample of patients claiming a Medicare rebate in calendar year 1996. Main outcome measures: Claims for acupuncture by patients' State, sex, age, and the socioeconomic disadvantage index of patients' residences. Results: Between 1984-85 and 1996-97 the number of acupuncture claims increased, but declined as a proportion of total Medicare claims. In 1996, 1.16% of patients claimed for acupuncture, which constituted 0.5% of all Medicare claims. Adjusting for age and socioeconomic disadvantage, women were more likely than men to claim for acupuncture (odds ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.36-1.45). This sex difference is proportionately greater than that for all medical services. Propensity to claim for acupuncture increased with age, peaking at 65-69 years, then declining. Acupuncture claims were more likely in areas just above those assessed as having the greatest social disadvantage. Conclusion: The number of acupuncture claims has increased since 1984. As a proportion of all Medicare claims, acupuncture has remained stable since declining in 1991-92. This suggests that acupuncture is now an established complementary medical practice.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Research Division: | Studies in Human Society |
| Research Group: | Sociology |
| Research Field: | Sociology not elsewhere classified |
| Objective Division: | Health |
| Objective Group: | Other Health |
| Objective Field: | Health not elsewhere classified |
| Author: | Easthope, G (Dr Gary Easthope) |
| Author: | Gill, GF (Dr Gerard Gill) |
| Author: | Tranter, BK (Professor Bruce Tranter) |
| ID Code: | 16539 |
| Year Published: | 1999 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 13 |
| Deposited By: | Sociology and Social Work |
| Deposited On: | 1999-08-01 |
| Last Modified: | 2000-05-12 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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