Positive Health Online

Abstract

BENSOUSSAN and co-workers, The Centre for Complementary Medicine Research, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW 1797, Australia, a.bensoussan@uws.edu.au, have surveyed the practice of naturopathic and Western herbal medicine in Australia.

Background

Although the use of complementary therapies has grown substantially, no comprehensive survey has been carried out of the naturopathic and Western herbal medicine practitioners in Australia. This study aimed to correct this lack.

Methodology

A comprehensive survey questionnaire was developed in consultation with members of the profession and distributed nationally to all practitioners of naturopathy and Western herbal medicine.

Results

The practices of naturopathy and Western herbal medicine make up a sizeable component of Australian healthcare with 1.9 million consultations annually with an estimated turnover of $AUD 85 million in consultations, excluding the cost of medicines. A large proportion of patients is referred by word of mouth. Up to one third of practitioners work in multidisciplinary clinics. The number of adverse events associated with herbal medicines is substantial, and the types of events reported are not trivial. Practitioners will experience an adverse event every 11 months of full-time practice, or 2.3 adverse events for every 1000 consultations.

Conclusion

The Australian public makes considerable use of naturopathy and Western herbal medicine. However there is a need to discuss whether statutory regulation of these practitioners could better protect patients from adverse effects.

References

Bensoussan A, Myers SP, Wu SM, O'Connor K. Naturopathic and Western herbal medicine practice in Australia – a workforce survey. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 12 (1): 17-27, Mar 2004.