title: Comparing outcomes from the two most recognized acupuncturist workforce surveys.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the informational consistency produced by the two most recent independent surveys and draw a conclusion whether the data would be sufficient for the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis and Bureau of Labor and Statistics consideration.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper compares workforce outcomes collected by the two most prominent acupuncture entities that have produced the most useful acupuncturist workforce data (California Acupuncture Board 2015 Occupational Analysis and the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine® 2013 Job Analysis) at national and state levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings based upon the most compatible survey questions showed the following: more than 70% of acupuncturists work fewer than 40 hours weekly; approximately 76% work in solo practice or in shared space with other acupuncturists; more than 70% of the national sample have been in practice 15 years or less; and median income is between $40 000 and $50 000. A preponderance of acupuncturists is less than 50 years of age, and fewer than 15% of all respondents have been in practice more than 20 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Basic workforce information is a necessary precursor for conducting workforce projections. It is useful to track the expansion or contraction of any given profession. Tracking influences subsequent planning for the profession based upon reliable and valid information about its growth. The ability of the profession to collect its own workforce data is paramount to workforce projection models. Any future survey should be a shared project that follows guidelines supported by the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis.
authors.affiliation: Health Administration Program, California State University at Northridge, Northridge, California 91330, USA.
authors.forename: Steven H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Stumpf
authors.affiliation: National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida 32202, USA.
authors.forename: Kory
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ward-Cook
authors.affiliation: Clifford R. Carr, 1743 Penmar Avenue #3, Venice, California 90291, USA.
authors.forename: Clifford R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Carr
mesh_terms: D026881:Acupuncture; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D002568:Certification; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006077:Government Agencies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011364:Professional Practice; D012952:Societies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce