Journal article
The practitioner research and collaboration Initiative (PRACI): Updated characteristics of the world's largest complementary medicine practice-based research network
Complementary therapies in clinical practice, Vol.61, pp.1-9
11/2025
PMID: 40945412
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Abstract
Background and purpose: The Practitioner Research and Collaboration Initiative (PRACI), established in 2014, recruited the largest range of complementary medicine (CM) professions in a practice-based research network (PBRN) worldwide. The ongoing success of PRACI and its ability to accurately reflect current CM practice and use requires an updated practitioner membership. This paper aims to report the demographic and practice characteristics of the recently refreshed PRACI membership.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to those currently in clinical practice within one of nine CM professions: acupuncture, Bowen therapy, Chinese herbal medicine, kinesiology, massage therapy, myotherapy, naturopathy, nutrition, and Western herbal medicine. Responders provided consent to join membership of the PRACI PBRN. The survey covered practitioner demographics, clinical identity and qualifications, clinical career and practice, and practice characteristics.
Results: A total of 922 practitioners across all nine targeted CM professions were recruited with the majority identifying as female and reported practicing in an urban locality. Most common areas of clinical interest were general health and wellbeing, musculoskeletal health, pain management, and women's health.
Conclusion: The refreshed PRACI membership provides world-leading infrastructure to facilitate urgently needed research activity and capacity-building focused upon issues and challenges grounded in CM clinical practice. Such value will build upon and extend the numerous PRACI sub-studies successfully completed, and collaborations successfully undertaken to date.
Details
- Title
- The practitioner research and collaboration Initiative (PRACI): Updated characteristics of the world's largest complementary medicine practice-based research network
- Creators
- Amie Steel - University of Technology SydneyBen Lee - Endeavour College of Natural HealthTristan Carter - University of Technology SydneyHope Foley - University of Technology SydneyJon Adams - University of Technology Sydney
- Publication Details
- Complementary therapies in clinical practice, Vol.61, pp.1-9
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Grant note
- This project was undertaken with the support of the Bowen Therapists Federation of Australia and the Australian Kinesiology Association.
- Identifiers
- 991013314123602368
- Copyright
- © 2025 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article