Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia.
J Integr Complement Med. 2024 Jul;30(7):682-690. doi: 10.1089/jicm.2023.0443. Epub 2023 Dec 26.
Recent years have seen rapid changes to traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) practices in Australia associated with increased interest in TCIM during the COVID-19 pandemic and reorganization of practice delivery methods. This study aimed to update the understanding of the current TCIM workforce in Australia. Representatives of six TCIM professional organizations developed a survey for e-mail distribution to members. The anonymous online Qualtrics survey was based on previous surveys to identify workforce trends over time. Survey data were analyzed descriptively using Qualtrics and STATA statistical software (version 16). Responses were recorded from 1921 participants. Respondents were predominantly female (79.7%); 71.8% were aged over 45 years. Remedial massage therapists represented 32.1% and naturopaths represented 23.7% of respondents. Highest qualifications were diplomas (37.7%), bachelor's degrees (28.9%), and advanced diplomas (21.8%). Metropolitan locations accounted for 68.1% of practices. Solo private practice was the main practice setting (59.8%); 13.8% practiced in group private practice with TCIM practitioners; and 10.6% practiced with allied health practitioners. Approximately three quarters of respondents (73.9%) saw 0-5 new clients per week; 42.2% had 0-5 follow-up consultations per week. Collaboration rates with TCIM practitioners, other non-TCIM practitioners, and general medical practitioners (GPs) were 68.7%, 24.4%, and 9.2%, respectively. A total of 93% did not suspect an adverse event from their treatment in the past year. Businesses of 75.9% of respondents were reportedly affected by the pandemic. Comparisons with previous surveys show ongoing predominance of female practitioners, an aging workforce, a high proportion of remedial massage and naturopathy practitioners, and an increasingly qualified TCIM workforce. There was little change in the very low number of adverse events suspected by practitioners, number of consultations per week, and low levels of income of most TCIM practitioners compared with the average income in Australia. Respondents collaborated at similar rates as in the past; however, more with TCIM practitioners than with GPs.
近年来，澳大利亚传统、补充和综合医学（TCIM）实践发生了快速变化，这与 COVID-19 大流行期间对 TCIM 的兴趣增加以及实践提供方式的重组有关。本研究旨在更新对澳大利亚当前 TCIM 劳动力的了解。 六个 TCIM 专业组织的代表制定了一份调查，通过电子邮件分发给成员。匿名在线 Qualtrics 调查是基于以前的调查，以确定随时间推移的劳动力趋势。使用 Qualtrics 和 STATA 统计软件（版本 16）对调查数据进行描述性分析。 从 1921 名参与者那里记录了回复。受访者主要是女性（79.7%）；71.8%年龄在 45 岁以上。按摩治疗师代表 32.1%，自然疗法师代表 23.7%的受访者。最高学历是文凭（37.7%）、学士学位（28.9%）和高级文凭（21.8%）。大都市地区占实践的 68.1%。独资私人诊所是主要的执业环境（59.8%）；13.8%在私人诊所与 TCIM 从业者一起执业；10.6%与联合健康从业者一起执业。大约四分之三的受访者（73.9%）每周接待 0-5 名新客户；42.2%每周有 0-5 次随访咨询。与 TCIM 从业者、其他非 TCIM 从业者和全科医生（GP）的合作率分别为 68.7%、24.4%和 9.2%。共有 93%的人表示在过去一年中没有怀疑自己的治疗有不良反应。报告称，93%的受访者的业务受到了疫情的影响。 与以前的调查相比，女性从业者占主导地位、劳动力老龄化、按摩治疗师和自然疗法师从业者比例较高、TCIM 劳动力越来越合格等情况持续存在。从业者怀疑的不良事件数量、每周咨询次数以及大多数 TCIM 从业者的收入水平与澳大利亚平均收入相比仍然很低，几乎没有变化。与过去相比，受访者的合作率相似；然而，与全科医生相比，与 TCIM 从业者的合作更多。
