How Medical Acupuncture Is Taught in Australia.

Background: In Australia, The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) regulates medical acupuncture. Endorsement by the Medical Board of Australia requires the medical practitioner to complete an approved Course and pass the Part 1 Examination of the Australian Medical Acupuncture College (AMAC). The Australian Medical Council (AMC) has approved the Australian Medical Acupuncture College Part 1 Course against its standards.

Methods: Fully qualified Medical Practitioners and Dentists, who are not currently engaged in other post graduate courses are taught using a blended learning format, including online modules, webinars, face-to-face workshops, and clinical mentorship. Teachers in the Course are experienced medical acupuncturists, mostly Fellows of the College, or Members of the College with experience in teaching and mentoring. Non-physician acupuncturists are trained at Chinese Medicine Board approved courses in various Institutes of Technology, Colleges of Natural Health, Torrens University, and the University of Western Sydney.

Discussion: "New analysis from the Australian Medical Association has confirmed, after years of Government neglect, Australia is facing a shortage of more than 10,600 GPs by 2031, with the supply of GPs not keeping pace with growing community demand." In Australia the demand for acupuncture is 1 in 10 adults, and an unmeasured number of children. The actual supply is 1 in 3,000 population, with qualified medical acupuncturists being 1 in 30,000. Solutions to these problems would require a change in Australian Government Policy which currently is to replace doctors with pharmacists, nurse practitioners, physician associates, and presumably medical acupuncturists would be replaced by Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncturists.

Conclusions: Medical and dental acupuncture in Australia is taught in a tightly regulated environment in an evidence-based fashion by committed medical practitioners with experience in the practice and teaching of the art and science of this multi-millennial long modality.