title: Assessing knowledge about acupuncture: A survey of people with back pain in the UK.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite the prevalence of acupuncture treatment in the UK, and the increasing evidence of safety and effectiveness, the information presented to patients by practitioners frequently contains inaccuracies. As knowledge of treatment affects both patient decision-making and treatment outcomes, this study aimed to establish what is known about acupuncture in a sample of people who had, and had not, previously experienced acupuncture.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 15-item questionnaire was constructed to assess knowledge of acupuncture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Online survey of people with a history of back pain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  202 participants completed the questionnaire. 66.8% of the sample was female and 33.2% male, with a mean age of 35 years (range 18-74 years). 87.6% had back pain in the past six months, 44.1% currently. 21.8% had previously received acupuncture, and 69.8% had previously read or heard information about acupuncture. On average participants answered 11.03 of 15 questions about acupuncture correctly (SD=2.64). Items relating to common concerns about acupuncture, acupuncture efficacy, and types of acupuncture were correctly answered by ≥80% of participants. Participants possessed less knowledge of accessibility, Government legislation, and methods of administration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study identified key gaps in knowledge about acupuncture among patients. In particular, many participants were unaware that acupuncture is available from the UK National Health Service and that acupuncturists are not subject to statutory regulation in the UK. These knowledge gaps should be addressed in order to increase people's understanding of and access to acupuncture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Maddy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greville-Harris
authors.affiliation: Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, UCLH NHS Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lewith
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liossi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Cynthia A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. Electronic address: f.l.bishop@southampton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Felicity L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Bishop
mesh_terms: D026881:Acupuncture / Q000379:methods*; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Acupuncture; Attitudes; Back pain; Health knowledge; Practice; Statutory regulation; Survey