A workforce study of naturopathy and western herbal medicine practitioners in Australia

Various forms of complementary and alternative medicine are being increasingly used by the Australian public (MacLennan, Wilson & Taylor 2002). Aromatherapy and Chinese medicine (CM) have exhibited steady growth. However, the growth of naturopathic practices is more difficult to monitor because of their eclectic nature (MacLennan, Wilson & Taylor 2002). Naturopathic practices include Western herbal medicine (WHM), homeopathy, tactile therapies (including massage), nutrition, and lifestyle advice. Our group has previously surveyed the Australian traditional Chinese medicine workforce (Bensoussan & Myers 1996). However, no comprehensive national study has been undertaken of the naturopathic and WHM component of the healthcare workforce. The purpose of the current study was to develop an understanding of the nature of the practice of naturopathy and WHM, with particular reference to the characteristics of its workforce. Section 195-1 of the Act governing the goods and services tax (A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999) states that GST-free services may be provided only by a ‘recognised professional’. In the absence of statutory regulation, a ‘recognised professional’ is a member of a professional association that has uniform national registration requirements relating to the supply of the services. The present study surveyed naturopathic and WHM practitioners, irrespective of the professional association to which they belonged. This chapter reports on the characteristics of these professionals