Grace Sandra, Vemulpad Subramanyam, Beirman Robyn
Department of Health and Chiropractic, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia.
J Altern Complement Med. 2006 Sep;12(7):695-700. doi: 10.1089/acm.2006.12.695.
This study aimed to determine the extent to which complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners in Australia are trained in and use CAM and Western medical diagnostic techniques, and the influence this may have on their role as primary contact practitioners.
A 45-item questionnaire was mailed to members of the Australian Natural Therapists' Association and the Australian Traditional Medicine Society.
We received 617 responses (22%). Respondents reported high frequency of training in and use of Western case history taking, observation, taking blood pressure and pulses, palpation, postural assessment, orthopaedic testing, in addition to naturopathic case history taking, iris diagnosis, and face, tongue, and nail diagnosis. We found a significant relationship between the confidence practitioners had in identifying clients requiring referral and their training in these areas.
Despite the reported high frequency of training in and use of Western medical and CAM diagnostic techniques, 32% of respondents reported a lack of confidence in identifying patients requiring referral. This could compromise the safety of clients and the effectiveness of practice.
本研究旨在确定澳大利亚的补充和替代医学（CAM）从业者接受CAM及西方医学诊断技术培训和使用这些技术的程度，以及这可能对他们作为初级接触从业者的角色产生的影响。
向澳大利亚自然疗法师协会和澳大利亚传统医学协会的成员邮寄了一份包含45个条目的问卷。
我们收到了617份回复（22%）。除了自然疗法病史采集、虹膜诊断以及面部、舌部和指甲诊断外，受访者报告称他们接受西方病史采集、观察、测量血压和脉搏、触诊、姿势评估、骨科检查培训以及使用这些方法的频率很高。我们发现从业者在识别需要转诊的客户方面的信心与他们在这些领域的培训之间存在显著关系。
尽管报告显示接受西方医学和CAM诊断技术培训及使用这些技术的频率很高，但32%的受访者表示在识别需要转诊的患者方面缺乏信心。这可能会损害客户的安全和执业的有效性。
