Chinese medicine in Australia : the nature of practice and perspectives of practioners and key stakeholders

In 2012 the largest survey of primary Chinese medicine (CM) practitioners in Australia since 1996 was undertaken, to investigate the clinical practice features and professional structures of CM in Australia. This is particularly significant given the recent transition to a national regulatory framework for CM. Results (n = 655, response rate 42%) demonstrate that the current practice of CM in Australia is made up of a diverse range of practitioners, practice styles and values. Findings reveal that primary CM practitioners work in a number of settings using a variety of CM modalities, with nearly two-thirds practising within sole practices (60%), 42 per cent practising predominantly acupuncture, and 58 per cent a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.