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Acupuncture in Australian general practice: patient characteristics
G Easthope1, G F Gill, J J Beilby
1School of Sociology and Social Work, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS. Gary.Easthope@utas.edu.au
The Medical Journal of Australia
|April 23, 1999
Summary
Acupuncture claims increased from 1984 to 1997, with women and older adults more likely to claim. This suggests acupuncture is an established complementary medical practice.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Medical Economics
Background:
- Acupuncture is a complementary medical practice with growing utilization.
- Understanding the demographics and incidence of acupuncture claims is crucial for health policy and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of acupuncture claims within a national health insurance system.
- To characterize the patient population utilizing acupuncture services.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of Health Insurance Commission data.
- Examination of Medicare acupuncture claims from 1984-85 to 1996-97.
- Analysis of patient demographics (sex, age) and socioeconomic status.
Main Results:
- Acupuncture claims increased between 1984-85 and 1996-97, but decreased as a proportion of total Medicare claims.
- In 1996, 1.16% of patients claimed for acupuncture, representing 0.5% of all Medicare claims.
- Women, older individuals (peaking at 65-69 years), and those in areas with moderate social disadvantage were more likely to claim for acupuncture.
Conclusions:
- Acupuncture claims have risen since 1984 and have stabilized as a proportion of Medicare claims since 1991-92.
- The data suggest that acupuncture has become an established complementary medical practice.
- Demographic analysis reveals specific patient groups with higher propensity for acupuncture claims.