We are at a critical juncture in our profession. Many acupuncturists are doing well and acupuncture as a whole is getting more mainstream publicity; however, there are those in our profession who are not succeeding.
These credentials are what differentiates us as experts in acupuncture from those in other professions who seek to "add" acupuncture to their scope of practice. High standards of excellence protect our patients and our profession.
There is a critical need to educate regulators, legislators, insurance companies, politicians, other healthcare professionals, and everyday folk as to what acupuncture is, what it can do, and who is qualified to practice it. Psychometrically validated board exams are one way to establish a minimum high standard of entry-level competency.
We continue to hear from NCCAOM diplomates that the public does not know and does not understand the complexity of acupuncture or the extensive training necessary to become an NCCAOM national board-certified acupuncturist.
Over the next year — in direct response to NCCAOM diplomates' requests — we are undertaking a major national public education campaign to educate the public about who we are, what we do and why we, as national board-certified acupuncturists, are the most qualified to safely and effectively practice acupuncture.
As we are gear up to expand our outreach with this public education campaign, the NCCAOM needs all diplomates to update their profiles on the NCCAOM "Find-A-Practitioner database." This is free advertising to people who are searching for your help, as well as a repository for the media to find practitioners to interview.
Please help us help you. Update your profile: http://www.nccaom.org/find-a-practitioner-directory/.
Afua Bromley is co-chair of the AMCCTF, former chair of the NCCAOM, and serves on the executive committee of the Black Acupuncturist Association.