Course Overview

This course discusses licensing and registration requirements, professional training standards, comparing those for registered/licensed acupuncturists, dry needling and medical acupuncture and looks at the risks of inadequate training. It also describes how to avoid or manage potential clinical risk in regard to pneumothorax and other tissue damage, examines the intelligent interpretation of anatomical structures, and also explains risk management in herbal practice in regard to the potential adverse effects or toxic herbs, including the reasons behind safe, accepted preparation methods and dosage recommendations. The risk potential of herbal and dietary supplements is also covered. Professional codes, including those not commonly known to practitioners are explained with a view to avoiding a complaint. Also covered are the obligations of a practitioner in regard to employment and supervision, communication, the need for good patient records, managing referrals, as well as the issues of honest promotion and avoidance of over-servicing. Information is also provided as to how regulatory authorities may handle a complaint.

Course Objectives

• To understand the level of training and competence needed for safe effective practice and a practitioner’s responsibility to be properly trained to avoid or minimise risk.
• To understand methods and safeguards of clinically safe acupuncture and herbal practice with focus on pneumothorax, tissue damage and toxic herbs.
• To understand professional codes of conduct including clinical risk management, social diversity, employment and supervision of unregistered practitioners, patient records, referrals, promotion and over-servicing.
• Being aware of the various ways complaints against practitioners may be handled by regulatory authorities via auditing, clinical assessments, supervision and training.

Course Outline

0 hrs - 1.5 hrsLicensing and registration requirements are discussed in regard to adequate training and competence. Definitions and training standards of acupuncture vs dry needling vs medical acupuncture and potential risks of inadequate training are given.

1.5 hrs - 3 hrsThe focus is on risk management in acupuncture and herbal practice. It covers pneumothorax, tissue damage, interpretation of anatomical structures, the toxicity and adverse effects of some herbs and supplements, and the safe use of “toxic” herbs.

3 hrs - 4 hrsAreas of professional conduct discussed are standard of care, cultural diversity, employment of unregistered practitioners. Sound communication, referrals, recommendations and the issues of misleading information and over-servicing are explained.

4 hrs - 4.75 hrsThe course includes an outline of various management methods employed by regulatory authorities. Practitioner management of these requirements is explained.