4.  Training programmes

The basic training of the four groups is different. For traditional acupuncture practitioners, a complete course extending over two years is recommended. For physicians and medically trained non-physicians, training would be adapted to their specific requirements and confined to the clinical applications of acupuncture. An indication of the period of training to be desired in each case is given in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Basic training in acupuncture


Category
of
Personnel

Level
of
Training
Acupuncture (ACU)

Core Syllabus

Theory      Clinical    Supervised
Practice
Modern Western
Medicine (MED)

Theory + Clinical
Official
Examination
Certificate

Acupuncture practitioners (non-medical)
Full course of training
1000 hours
500
hours
500
hours
500
hours
ACU + MED
ACU
Qualified physicians

 Full course of training
500
hours
500
hours
500
hours
ACU
Qualified physicians Limited training in ACU as a
technique for
their clinical
work

 Not less than 200 hours
ACU
Other health
personnel

 Limited training in ACU for use
in primary health care

 Varies according to application envisaged
ACU