Journal article
An Overview of the Practitioner Research and Collaboration Initiative (PRACI): a practice-based research network for complementary medicine
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol.17, 87
2017
PMCID: PMC5286815
PMID: 28143544
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Source: InCites
Abstract
The Practitioner Research and Collaboration Initiative (PRACI) is an innovative, multi-modality practice-based research network (PBRN) that represents fourteen complementary medicine (CM) professions across Australia. It is the largest known PBRN for complementary healthcare in the world and was launched in 2015. The purpose of this paper is to provide an update on the progress of the PRACI project, including a description of the characteristics of PRACI members in order to facilitate further sub-studies through the PRACI PBRN.
A CM workforce survey was distributed electronically to CM practitioners across fourteen disciplines, throughout Australia. Practitioners electing to become a member of PRACI were registered on the PBRN database. The database was interrogated and the data analysed to described sociodemographic characteristics, practice characteristics, professional qualification and practice interest of PRACI members.
Foundational members of PRACI were found to be predominately female (76.2%) and middle-aged (82.5%). Members were primarily located in urban settings (82.5%) across the Eastern seaboard of Australia (82.5%), with few working remotely. The main modalities represented include massage therapists (58.5%), naturopaths (26.4%) and nutritionists (14.4%). The primary area of clinical interest for PRACI members were general health and well-being (75.4%), musculoskeletal complaints (72%) and pain management (62.6%).
PRACI provides an important infrastructure for complementary healthcare research in Australia and its success relies on CM practitioners being involved in the research being conducted through the PBRN. The aim of this database is to ensure that the research conducted through PRACI is rigorous, robust, clinically relevant and reflects the diversity of clinical practice amongst CM practitioners in Australia.
Details
- Title
- An Overview of the Practitioner Research and Collaboration Initiative (PRACI): a practice-based research network for complementary medicine
- Creators
- Amie Steel (Author) - University of Technology SydneyD Sibbritt (Author) - University of Technology SydneyJanet Margaret Schloss (Author) - Endeavour College of Natural HealthJon Wardle (Author) - University of Technology SydneyMatthew John Leach (Author) - University of South AustraliaHelene Diezel - Endeavour College of Natural HealthJon Adams (Author) - University of Technology Sydney
- Publication Details
- BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol.17, 87
- Publisher
- BioMed Central
- Identifiers
- 991012911996402368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health; National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article