Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Acupuncture: Section I: Basic training in acupuncture: 8. Limited training in acupuncture for primary health care personnel

Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Acupuncture
(1999; 35 pages) [French] [Spanish]

Related documents

Benchmarks for Training in Ayurveda

Benchmarks for Training in Naturopathy

Benchmarks for Training in Nuad Thai

Benchmarks for Training in Osteopathy

Benchmarks for Training in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Benchmarks for Training in Tuina

Benchmarks for Training in Unani Medicine

WHO Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Chiropractic

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction
	Basic training in acupuncture
	Safety in acupuncture
Section I: Basic training in acupuncture
	1. Purpose of the guidelines
	2. Use of acupuncture in national health systems
		2.1 Administrative and academic considerations
		2.2 Examinations and licensing
		2.3 Supervision, monitoring and evaluation
		2.4 Further education and career possibilities
	3. Levels of training
	4. Training programmes
	5. Training of acupuncture practitioners
		5.1 Acupuncture practitioners
		5.2 Entrance requirements
		5.3 Duration of training
		5.4 Objective
		5.5 Core syllabus in acupuncture
		5.6 Core syllabus in modern Western medicine
		5.7 Other related fields of health care
		5.8 Examination
	6. Full training in acupuncture for qualified physicians
	7. Limited training in acupuncture for qualified physicians
		7.1 Basic training
		7.2 Special courses
		7.3 Advanced training
	8. Limited training in acupuncture for primary health care personnel
	9. Selected acupuncture points for basic training
	10. Selected points for basic training in acupuncture
Section II: Safety in acupuncture
	1. Prevention of infection
		1.1 Clean working environment
		1.2 Clean hands
		1.3 Preparation of the needling sites
		1.4 Sterilization and storage of needles and equipment
		1.5 Aseptic technique
	2. Contraindications
		2.1 Pregnancy
		2.2 Medical emergencies and surgical conditions
		2.3 Malignant tumours
		2.4 Bleeding disorders
	3. Accidents and untoward reactions
		3.1 Needle quality
		3.2 Position of patient
		3.3 Fainting
		3.4 Convulsions
		3.5 Pain
		3.6 Stuck needle
		3.7 Broken needle
		3.8 Local infection
		3.9 Burning during moxibustion
	4. Electrical stimulation and laser therapy
	5. Injury to important organs
		5.1 Areas not to be punctured
		5.2 Precautions to be taken
	6. Patient records
Appendix
	1. Sterilization of acupuncture needles and equipment
	2. Methods of sterilization
	3. Disinfection
	4. Maintenance
Annex I: List of participants

8. Limited training in acupuncture for primary health care personnel

The introduction of "acupuncture" into primary health care at community level would require the training of a considerable number of personnel over a short period, if it is to have a demonstrable effect. This would probably strain the teaching and supervision resources of the country concerned.

It would seem wiser, in such cases, to train such personnel in acupressure (zhi-ya) rather than in acupuncture itself. Training in acupressure would make no great demands, could be incorporated into the general training of primary health care personnel, and would carry no risk to the patient. The use of acupressure in primary health care would have to be evaluated after a suitable trial period. Some personnel who show particular aptitude might be chosen for basic training in acupuncture, a training programme being arranged according to the applications envisaged.