The basic training of the four groups is different. For traditional acupuncture practitioners, a complete course extending over two years is recommended. For physicians and medically trained non-physicians, training would be adapted to their specific requirements and confined to the clinical applications of acupuncture. An indication of the period of training to be desired in each case is given in Table 1 below.
Table 1
Basic training in acupuncture
Category of Personnel |
Level of Training |
Acupuncture (ACU)
Core Syllabus
Theory Clinical Supervised Practice
|
Modern Western Medicine (MED)
Theory + Clinical
|
Official Examination |
Certificate |
Acupuncture practitioners (non-medical) |
Full course of training |
1000 hours |
500 hours |
500 hours |
500 hours |
ACU + MED1 |
ACU |
Qualified physicians |
Full course of training |
500 hours |
500 hours |
500 hours |
|
ACU |
|
Qualified physicians |
Limited training in ACU as a technique for their clinical work |
Not less than 200 hours |
|
ACU |
|
Other health personnel |
Limited training in ACU for use in primary health care |
Varies according to application envisaged |
|
ACU |
|
1 State examination in acupuncture and modern Western medicine (at appropriate level)