Medical
Acupuncture
A Journal For Physicians
By Physicians
Fall
/ Winter 1989
- Volume 1 / Number 1
"Aurum
Nostrum Non Est Aurum Vulgi"
POLICY STATEMENT ON ACUPUNCTURE REGULATION AND LICENSURE
Acupuncture
is a system of diagnosis and treatment of illness that has been
endorsed by the World Health Organization as useful in the manage
merit of a wide range of medical problems. A substantial body
of scientific research has now verified its clinical efficacy.
The AMERICAN ACADEMY OF MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE
was established to promote quality clinical practice and research
in acupuncture by licensed physicians. We regard the practice
of acupuncture as a medical specialty that requires appropriate
training. Membership in the Academy is open to all licensed physicians
who have completed approved continuing education in acupuncture.
Our policy with regard to the licensure and regulation of the
practice of acupuncture is:
-
Acupuncture is a diagnostic and therapeutic technique that includes in its practice the precise surgical insertion of needles into the human body. The practice of acupuncture constitutes a medical intervention. Existing medical regulatory boards are the appropriate bodies to review the practice of physicians who engage in acupuncture.
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Recognizing that the practice of acupuncture requires specialized training not yet integrated into conventional medical training, we recommend that medical boards use 200 hours of approved training as a guideline for any regulatory standards they may wish to establish for physician acupuncturists.
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Any legislation which establishes the classification of non-physician acupuncture therapists must clearly delineate minimum standards of training for these therapists, explicitly define the scope of their practice, and designate them as acupuncture therapists distinct from physicians who practice acupuncture.
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Acupuncture regulation should recognize the relationship between physicians and acupuncture therapists in a fashion similar to that currently recognized between physicians and physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and physical therapists.