ABSTRACT
[Objective]To estimate the number and market size of clinics for acupuncture, moxibustion and amma (traditional Japanese massage) in operation to provide a baseline for regional medical care resources. <BR>[Method]We conducted a postal survey by sending out questionnaires to 5,000 clinics and 1,000 on-call practitioners selected from 16,271 therapists (accounting for 21.0%of the total number in Japan) registered at 98 regional public health centers. <BR>[Results]The survey yielded a response rate of 23%, out of which the rates of non-existing clinics and on-call practitioners at the registered addresses accounted for 20.6%and 31.5%respectively. The rates of the two categories, out of business or suspended, accounted for 12.4%and 41.3%respectively. From these figures complemented by a telephone directory survey, it is estimated that 49,710 clinics were in operation in early 2007. The average annual income for private clinics was 4.88 million yen, and 2.84 million yen for private on-call practitioners, while that of corporate clinics was 34.85 million yen and 16.33million yen for corporate on-call practitioners. Accordingly, the market size of the subject business is estimated at 315 billion yen as of 2006. <BR>[Discussion]A major downward revision should be made in the data included in the national public health statistics. Considering the fact that there are over 16,000 clinics whose current status is unknown, it is desired that the government conduct a national fact-finding survey at an early date.<BR>Conclusion:The total number of acupuncture, moxibustion and amma (traditional Japanese massage) clinics is estimated at 50,000 constituting a market size of 325 billion yen as of 2006.
ABSTRACT
[Objective] The increasing number of acupuncture and moxibustion training schools as well as the diversity of new student and patient needs is changing the educational environment of practitioners of Amma massage, acupuncture, and moxibustion. This raises the question whether the present curriculum can meet the challenges presented by these changes. This study presents the findings of a questionnaire survey designed to elucidate basic data relevant to the creation of the ideal curriculum.<br>[Methods] A questionnaire was sent to a total of 111 schools nationwide, comprising 70 training schools for the visually impaired and 41 vocational schools affiliated with the Society of Oriental Medicine. The staff member responsible for curriculum organization in each school completed the questionnaire.<br>[Concluding remarks] The response rate was 70.3% (78/111 schools). The questionnaire survey revealed that one group of individuals was responsible for the curriculum. It was also made clear that education was advancing, not by a fundamental curriculum-based teaching system, but by individual teaching staff.<br>Ensuring future development in the education system for practitioners of Amma massage, acupuncture, and moxibustion will require introducing a core curriculum. Discussion is also necessary.
ABSTRACT
[Background] The numbers of clinics and practitioners of amma (traditional Japanese massage), acupuncture, and moxibustion are officially announced in the Report on Public Health Administration and Services. How-ever, it is highly possible that these data include non-practicing therapists, and do not show the number of therapists holding more than one license. Therefore, it is difficult to estimate the actual number of practicing therapists.<BR>[Methods] We conducted a postal survey of 3, 084 therapists registered at 12 different public health centers in five prefectures including Tokyo, and asked (1) whether the therapists were still practicing at their registered clinics, and (2) how many of the three licenses (amma, acupuncture, moxibustion) they hold.<BR>[Results] We found that 26.5 percent of the therapists were not practicing, and that 52.5 percent of people who had an amma license also had acupuncture and/or moxibustion licenses. Based on the present results, we estimate that, in 2002, there were 41, 500 amma clinics, 10, 300 acupuncture and moxibustion clinics, 71, 500 practicing amma therapists, and 54, 400 practicing acupuncturists.<BR>[Conclusion] In conclusion, the data in tables 63 and 64 in the Report on Public Health Administration and Services should be downwardly revised in order to reflect the actual situation of the relevant clinics and practitioners.