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Towards a Safer Choice
The Practice of Chinese Medicine In Australia


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sections

Executive summary
Foreword
Summary of findings
Summary of recommendations
List of Appendices - Only available with purchase of hard copy

Chapters

1. Introduction

Purpose of the review
AHMAC working group
The research process

2. The practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine

What is traditional Chinese medicine?
Extent of use of TCM
TCM diagnostic methods
The practice of Chinese herbal medicine
The practice of acupuncture

3. The benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Overview
Relating clinical practice to research
Clinical trials of acupuncture
Neurophysiological research in acupuncture
Clinical trials of Chinese herbal medicine
Pharmacological research on Chinese medicinal substances
Summary of findings
Recommendations

4. Risks associated with the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Overview
Methodology
Reporting and monitoring of adverse events
Categories of risk
Risks associated with the clinical judgement of the
TCM practitioner
Risks associated with the practice of Chinese herbal medicine
Quantification of adverse effects of Chinese herbal medicines
Risks associated with acupuncture
Quantification of adverse effects of acupuncture
Australian workforce survey data on adverse events in
CHM and acupuncture
Summary of findings
Recommendations

5. Review of the workforce engaged in the practice of Traditional Cinese Medicine

Overview
Methodology
Response rate
Who practices TCM?
Basic demographics of practitioners
The nature of TCM practice
Referrals between TCM and non-TCM practices
TCM clinical experience
Cost of treatment and practioner income
Follow-up interviews
Summary of findings
 

6. An analysis of patients using Traditional Chinese Medicine

Overview
Methodology
Response rate
A profile of patients
Summary of findings
 

7. Professional associations representing practitioners of TCM

Overview
Methodology
Response rate
Legal status, origins and affiliations of TCM associations
Membership
Full membership eligibilty
Continuing professional education
Purpose of the association
Policies and procedures
Position on occupational regulation
Cross-membership between associations
Summary of findings
Recommendations
 

8. Education in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Overview
Methodology
TCM education in China
TCM education in Australia
Major programs in TCM - category A
Shorter programs in TCM - category B
Findings from the workforce survey
Summary of findings
Recommendations

9. The regulation of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Australia and overseas

Overview
Methodology
Australia
China
Hong Kong
Canada - Province of Alberta
USA - Overview
USA - Nevada
Korea
Singapore
Malaysia
United Kingdom
Summary of findings

10. The Australian regulatory context

Overview
Methodology
The Australian policy context
Occupational regulation
Summary of findings

11. Assessing the need for occupational regulation of TCM in Australia