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Background and aims of survey

Complementary and alternative medicine has grown rapidly, marked by a proliferation of professional, often initially self-appointed, groups and training courses, and is almost entirely un-charted. The diversity of activity in the complementary medical sector and the lack of co-ordination and information hinders attempts to develop integrative or facilitative proposals to support best practice and accountability. There is a need for a comprehensive intelligence gathering exercise to combine the forces of those within the sector with those representing the public interest.

Progress has indeed been made in improving integration of health provision. Possible new initiatives in research and development, education and training, regulation and delivery mechanisms have been discussed among representatives of complementary and orthodox medicine, of the health service and trusts, and of the public interest. It will fall on those charged with developing proposals for improved regulatory structures to involve representatives of the professions of complementary and alternative medicine. It is generally agreed that in the likely absence of statutory registration for most of these activities, coordinated self-regulation under independent review presents the best prospects for the public interest.

Considering this situation, the Department of Health commissioned the Centre of Complementary Health Studies at the University of Exeter to survey the field. The project is timely and necessary. It will allow for almost the first time a comprehensive survey to be made of a territory that has so far emerged spontaneously and without maps. Leading organisations will be identified and the areas in which facilitative efforts may be best focused will be more clear.

Study objectives

The study was conceived to survey UK professional associations in complementary medicine so as to establish their current status, activities and aspirations and to identify best prospects for co-ordination of responsible practice.

Sample

In total, 322 organisations were contacted, including 14 organisations representing statutorily registered professionals.

Of the organisations contacted, 168 completed and returned questionnaires. When inappropriate bodies (eg. special interest groups, training organisations or commercial enterprises) were excluded this left a total of 143 registering or umbrella bodies.

Reports

Professional organisation of complementary and alternative medicine in the United Kingdom 1997
Price £5.50

Published by the Centre for Complementary Health Studies University of Exeter in 1997 and available from:
Centre for Complementary Health Studies
University of Exeter
Streatham Court
Exeter EX4 4PU

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