The Role of Research in Guiding Treatment for Women’s Health: A Qualitative Study of Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncturists

Mike Armour, Debra Betts, Kate Roberts, Susanne Armour and Caroline A. Smith
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Mike Armour: NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2517, Australia
Debra Betts: NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2517, Australia
Kate Roberts: NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2517, Australia
Susanne Armour: NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2517, Australia
Caroline A. Smith: NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2517, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 2, 1-11

Abstract: Background: Surveys of acupuncture practitioners worldwide have shown an increase in the use of acupuncture to treat women’s health conditions over the last ten years. Published studies have explored the effectiveness of acupuncture for various conditions such as period pain, fertility, and labor induction. However, it is unclear what role, if any, peer-reviewed research plays in guiding practice. Methods: Acupuncturists with a significant women’s health caseload were interviewed online in three small groups to explore factors that contribute to acupuncturists’ clinical decision made around treatment approaches and research. Results: Eleven practitioners participated in the focus groups. The overarching theme that emerged was one of ‘Not mainstream but a stream.’ This captured two themes relating to acupuncture as a distinct practice: ‘working with what you’ve got’ as well as ‘finding the right lens’, illustrating practitioners’ perception of research needing to be more relevant to clinical practice. Conclusions: Acupuncture practitioners treating women’s health conditions reported a disconnect between their clinical practice and the design of clinical trials, predominantly due to what they perceived as a lack of individualization of treatment. Case histories were popular as a learning tool and could be used to support increasing research literacy.

Keywords: acupuncture; Chinese medicine; women’s health; case reports; clinical trials (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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