Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine (대한예방한의학회지)

Society of Preventive Korean Medicine (대한예방한의학회)
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A Study on the Current Status of Complementary Medicine in Australia

호주의 보완의학 현황에 관한 연구

  • Yohan Ko (Department of Korean Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University) ;
  • Byungmook Lim (Division of Humanities and Social Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University)
  • 고요한 (부산대학교 한의학전문대학원 한의학과) ;
  • 임병묵 (부산대학교 한의학전문대학원 인문사회의학부)
  • Received : 2024.03.29
  • Accepted : 2024.04.17
  • Published : 2024.04.30
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Abstract

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the history, current status, and regulation of complementary medicine in Australia. Methods : To investigate complementary medicine in Australia, we searched domestic and overseas academic databases, and websites of public and private organizations related to the Australian health care. Results : Complementary medicine consists of numerous services, among which massage and chiropractic care are significantly utilized by Australians. Since 2010, Australian healthcare practitioners, in the field of complementary medicine, have been supervised by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Those who AHPRA is responsible for managing acupuncturists, chiropractors, and osteopaths. Other professions are regulated by their own respective associations. Not only aforementioned services offered by specialists, but also consumption of oral supplements accounts for considerable portion of complementary medicine in Australia. Complementary medicine products, vitamins, and minerals are managed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). In terms of insurance policy, the reimbursement of complementary medicine expenses in Australia is covered by the public healthcare insurance system, Medicare. Medicare covers acupuncture, chiropractic, and osteopathy services. Other complementary therapies are continuously reviewed to update their coverage under this scheme. Conclusion : In Australia, practitioner qualifications, education standards, and scope of procedures related to complementary medicine are systematically managed through legal regulations of the federal and state governments.

Keywords

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