A 10 year comparison update: A survey of socio-demogrpahics and practice characteritics of members of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association

Background: A previous study in 2006 reported on the demographic and practice characteristics of 386 AACMA members’ responses. In the intervening decade since the 2006 data collection many changes have occurred, including the introduction of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for the Chinese medicine (CM) profession. It was therefore decided to undertake a new survey in order to update and compare the demographic and practice characteristics of AACMA members, to determine whether there had been a significant change. Method: An online version of the survey that replicated the 2006 paper instrument was utilised to collect updated data regarding AACMA practitioner attributes and practice characteristics. The 2016 responses (n = 148) was compared against the earlier 2006 survey responses (n = 386) and the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia’s (CMBA) registrant data for the corresponding period. Results: A natural ageing of practitioners was observed, but similar gender distribution (higher female ratio to male practitioners) and practice locality clustering (majority of respondents being located in Queensland, New South Wales or Victoria) was noted. The majority of respondents answered that their training in CM was undertaken within Australia, most likely through a university or a private college and holding a Bachelor’s degree. A trend to practice in a full-time capacity was noted across the 10 year time period, as well as a preference to combine treatment modalities when practising. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine were the most frequently used modalities. It was also observed that the 2016 respondents preferred to work solo, whereas the 2006 respondents preferred group practice. For those who were working in a group practice, they were most likely to be working with other CM practitioners, followed by other CAM practitioners. The average patient consultations completed remained steady at 15-24 patients per week for the majority of respondents in both data collection rounds. Conclusion: The demographic data of the CM profession appears to have remained constant over the course of ten years and future surveys are recommended to regularly monitor change within the CM profession