Accessibility Characteristics of Community Acupuncture Clinics

Abstract

This study provides a profile of some of the characteristics of 114 Community Acupuncture Network (CAN) clinics as of June, 2011. Characteristics of clinics that affect their accessibility are examined. Most clinics offered a sliding scale fee structure to patients; the lower end of this scale ranged from 10 to 25 dollars and the higher end ranged from 35 to 45 dollars. On average, CAN clinics were open for 31 hours per week but had limited opening hours during hours at the start and end of weekdays and on Sundays. The typical clinic was operated by 1.48 acupuncturists, 69% of whom were women. Clinics typically had 7.6 chairs/recliners and 0.8 treatment tables (but half of all clinics had no tables). Suggestions are made for increasing clinic accessibility that focus on the number of practitioners, opening hours, and clinic configuration.