Safety issues in herbal medicine: implications for the health professions

In 1996 a government review of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was commissioned by the Victorian, New South Wales and Queensland health departments with a view to making recommendations on the need for occupational regulation of TCM practitioners. This article summarises the key findings of that review on the education of TCM practitioners in Australia. The principal characteristics of Australian TCM education are presented and contrasted to current practice in China. Traditional Chinese Medicine is composed of a number of treatment modalities, most notably acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Acupuncture has been the focus of TCM education in Australia for the past two decades. Chinese herbal medicine education programs are now increasing and the standard of TCM education is approaching that in China.