The use of acupuncture by chartered physiotherapists in the United Kingdom: a review of undergraduate students' attitudes and knowledge

Abstract

The use of acupuncture by chartered physiotherapists has expanded in recent years. It is now readily available in many private and National Health Service (NHS) physiotherapy departments. In spite of acupuncture's increasing popularity, few physiotherapy or medical undergraduate syllabuses in the UK include acupuncture. This paper reviews the attitudes and knowledge of undergraduate physiotherapy and medical students towards acupuncture. Findings from studies on students' attitudes, their knowledge of acupuncture and its evidence base and correlations between knowledge and attitudes are discussed. Whilst students' attitudes towards acupuncture were generally very positive, students have been found to have very little actual knowledge of acupuncture. The willingness of future practitioners to accept (with very little prior knowledge) this treatment approach, raises a number of pertinent issues for the profession.

Keywords:

• ACUPUNCTURE
• ATTITUDE
• KNOWLEDGE
• UNDERGRADUATE
• PHYSIOTHERAPY
• CURRICULUM