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Moving forward? Complementary and alternative practitioners seeking self-regulation.

Sandy Welsh1, Merrijoy Kelner, Beverly Wellman

  • 1Department of Sociology and Institute of Human Development, Life Course and Aging, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. welsh@chass.utoronto.ca

Sociology of Health & Illness
|March 19, 2004
PubMed
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Leaders of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) groups in Ontario use strategies like improving education and research to gain professional status. Internal debates over integrating medical science are key to establishing legitimacy.

Area of Science:

  • Health Sciences
  • Sociology of Professions

Background:

  • Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) occupations face challenges in achieving professional status and statutory regulation.
  • Professionalization is a complex process involving internal tensions and external validation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the professionalization strategies employed by leaders of three CAM groups in Ontario, Canada.
  • To analyze how knowledge base organization and transmission contribute to professional legitimacy.

Main Methods:

  • In-depth interviews with leaders of naturopath, traditional Chinese medicine practitioner acupuncturist, and homeopath groups.
  • Qualitative analysis of strategies related to education, practice standards, research, and group cohesion.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Four key professionalization strategies were identified: improving educational and practice standards, engaging in peer-reviewed research, and increasing group cohesion.
  • Demarcation of qualified practitioners and signaling legitimacy to external bodies are central to these strategies.
  • The inclusion of medical science in the knowledge base is a significant factor in distinguishing 'science' from 'non-science' and defining who is qualified to practice.

Conclusions:

  • Internal debates regarding the integration of medical science are crucial for CAM groups seeking legitimacy and professional status.
  • These internal conflicts over knowledge base infusion have implications for the future trajectory of CAM professionalization.