How Can Acupuncture Be Incorporated Into The Health Care System?
The integration of acupuncture into today's health care delivery system will be facilitated by a better understanding among practitioners of the language and practices of both the traditional and conventional health care communities. Acupuncture focuses on a holistic, energy-based approach to the patients instead of a disease-oriented diagnostic and treatment approach.
An important factor for the incorporation of acupuncture into the contemporary health care system is the preparing and credentialing of acupuncture practitioners by the appropriate local organizations. This is imperative to allow the general public and other health practitioners to identify qualified acupuncture practitioners. The acupuncture educational communities have made substantial progress in this area and is promoted to continue along this path. Educational criteria have been established for training of physician and non-physician acupuncture practitioners. Many acupuncture teaching programs are accredited by an agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. A national credentialing agency exists for non-physician acupuncturists and offers exams for qualification of acupuncture practice. A nationally recognized examination for physician acupuncture practitioners has been established.
Most of States offer licensure or registration for acupuncture practice. Since some acupuncturists have limited English skill, credentialing and licensing examinations should be provided in languages other than English where needed. There is difference in the titles that are conferred through these processes, and the requirements to obtain licensure differ substantially. The range of practice allowed under these State requirements varies as well. Although States have the individual prerogative to set standards for licensing professions, consistency in these fields will provide greater confidence in the qualifications of acupuncturists. For instance, not all States recognize the same credentialing examination, thus making reciprocity difficult.
The occurrence of adverse events in acupuncture practice has been documented to be extremely low. However, these events have occurred on rare occasions, some of which are life-threatening (e.g., pneumothorax). Therefore, appropriate safeguards for the protection of patients have to be in place. Consumers should be fully informed of their treatment options, expected prognosis, relative risk, and safety practices to minimize these risks before their receipt of acupuncture. This information must be provided in a manner that is linguistically and culturally appropriate to the patients. Use of acupuncture needles should always follow FDA regulations, including use of sterile, single-use needles. It is known that these are already being practiced by many acupuncturists; however, these practices should be uniform.
It has been reported that more than 1 million Americans currently accept acupuncture procedure every year. Sustained access to competent acupuncture professionals for appropriate conditions should be ensured. Since numerous individuals seek health care treatment from both acupuncturists and physicians, communication between these professionals should be strengthened and enhanced. If a patient is under the care of an acupuncturist and a physician, both practitioners should be aware. Both patients and providers should be responsible for facilitating this communication.
Evidence suggests that some consumers have limited access to acupuncture services because of inability to pay. Insurance companies can decrease financial hurdles to access depending on their willingness to provide coverage for appropriate acupuncture services. More and more insurance companies are either considering this possibility or now offer coverage for acupuncture practices. In States where there health insurance plans, and for populations served by Medicare or Medicaid, expansion of coverage to include appropriate acupuncture services would also help decrease financial hurdles to access.
An important factor for the incorporation of acupuncture into the contemporary health care system is the preparing and credentialing of acupuncture practitioners by the appropriate local organizations. This is imperative to allow the general public and other health practitioners to identify qualified acupuncture practitioners. The acupuncture educational communities have made substantial progress in this area and is promoted to continue along this path. Educational criteria have been established for training of physician and non-physician acupuncture practitioners. Many acupuncture teaching programs are accredited by an agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. A national credentialing agency exists for non-physician acupuncturists and offers exams for qualification of acupuncture practice. A nationally recognized examination for physician acupuncture practitioners has been established.
Most of States offer licensure or registration for acupuncture practice. Since some acupuncturists have limited English skill, credentialing and licensing examinations should be provided in languages other than English where needed. There is difference in the titles that are conferred through these processes, and the requirements to obtain licensure differ substantially. The range of practice allowed under these State requirements varies as well. Although States have the individual prerogative to set standards for licensing professions, consistency in these fields will provide greater confidence in the qualifications of acupuncturists. For instance, not all States recognize the same credentialing examination, thus making reciprocity difficult.
The occurrence of adverse events in acupuncture practice has been documented to be extremely low. However, these events have occurred on rare occasions, some of which are life-threatening (e.g., pneumothorax). Therefore, appropriate safeguards for the protection of patients have to be in place. Consumers should be fully informed of their treatment options, expected prognosis, relative risk, and safety practices to minimize these risks before their receipt of acupuncture. This information must be provided in a manner that is linguistically and culturally appropriate to the patients. Use of acupuncture needles should always follow FDA regulations, including use of sterile, single-use needles. It is known that these are already being practiced by many acupuncturists; however, these practices should be uniform.
It has been reported that more than 1 million Americans currently accept acupuncture procedure every year. Sustained access to competent acupuncture professionals for appropriate conditions should be ensured. Since numerous individuals seek health care treatment from both acupuncturists and physicians, communication between these professionals should be strengthened and enhanced. If a patient is under the care of an acupuncturist and a physician, both practitioners should be aware. Both patients and providers should be responsible for facilitating this communication.
Evidence suggests that some consumers have limited access to acupuncture services because of inability to pay. Insurance companies can decrease financial hurdles to access depending on their willingness to provide coverage for appropriate acupuncture services. More and more insurance companies are either considering this possibility or now offer coverage for acupuncture practices. In States where there health insurance plans, and for populations served by Medicare or Medicaid, expansion of coverage to include appropriate acupuncture services would also help decrease financial hurdles to access.
