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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

A Mechanical Construction to Enhance the Stability and Safety of Lifting and Thrusting Manipulation of Acupuncture
07:29

A Mechanical Construction to Enhance the Stability and Safety of Lifting and Thrusting Manipulation of Acupuncture

Published on: January 10, 2025

How patients choose acupuncturists: a mixed-methods project.

Felicity L Bishop1, Yolanda Massey, Lucy Yardley

  • 1Department of Primary Medical Care, University of Southampton School of Medicine, Southampton, UK. F.L.Bishop@southampton.ac.uk

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.)
|January 18, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Patients choose acupuncturists based on trustworthiness, qualifications, and personal connection. Practitioner gender and medical training also influence choices when recommendations are absent, highlighting the need for clearer regulation in acupuncture.

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Area of Science:

  • Integrative and Complementary Medicine
  • Acupuncture Patient Choice
  • Healthcare Consumer Behavior

Background:

  • Statutory regulation of acupuncturists in the UK is inconsistent, potentially complicating patient choice.
  • Factors influencing general practitioner selection are known, but patient decision-making for acupuncturists remains understudied.
  • Understanding patient preferences is crucial for informed healthcare seeking in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the factors influencing patients' selection of acupuncturists.
  • To identify key criteria patients use when choosing an acupuncturist.
  • To explore the impact of practitioner characteristics on patient preference.

Main Methods:

  • A mixed-methods approach combining qualitative interviews and a quantitative vignette study.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

A Mechanical Construction to Enhance the Stability and Safety of Lifting and Thrusting Manipulation of Acupuncture
07:29

A Mechanical Construction to Enhance the Stability and Safety of Lifting and Thrusting Manipulation of Acupuncture

Published on: January 10, 2025

  • Qualitative phase: 35 semi-structured interviews with acupuncture patients exploring their experiences.
  • Quantitative phase: 73 participants rated fictional acupuncturists based on gender, training location, and qualifications.

    • Main Results:

    • Patients prioritize qualified and personable acupuncturists, valuing recommendations from trusted sources.
    • In the absence of recommendations, patients showed a preference for female acupuncturists.
    • Medical qualifications were a significant factor influencing the choice of an acupuncturist.

    Conclusions:

    • Choosing an acupuncturist involves complex considerations of trustworthiness, competence, and personal attributes.
    • Practitioner gender and qualifications play a role in patient preference, especially without personal recommendations.
    • Informing patients about CAM regulation and empowering conventional practitioners to guide patients are recommended.