TCIM Integration
Gathering real-world experiences from around the globe
Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) workforce integration: a comparative study with global insights
What is the study about?
We’re gathering insights from around the world about integration of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) providers within national health systems. Complete the 5 minute survey to illustrate real-world aspects of T&CM integration as experienced by providers of health care, policymakers, funders and members of the public.
T&CM includes practices like acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy, Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, yoga, chiropractic, contemplative/spiritual approaches, and many others that are not typically part of mainstream healthcare.
The project also includes a separate comparative study between Portugal and Australia, and insights from international policy advisors.
- Around 10 years ago, changes to Portuguese legislation led to greater recognition of non-conventional healthcare (T&CM) practitioners. The Lisbon visit enables face-to-face data collection (interviews) with health care providers, policymakers and other observers in Portugal – to determine whether there are lessons that might be applicable to Australia, where most T&CM providers are not recognised with statutory registration.
- For high-level context, international/regional policy-advisors are invited to provide perspectives on integration of T&CM.
Why is the research needed?
There is growing demand for policy guidance around T&CM workforce. We aim to gather real-world experiences to complement existing country survey data, helping guide future policies and practice.
The insights gained may highlight lessons that could assist policy developers to better understand the impacts of T&CM integration pathways (including non-integration options).
The research is framed by the goal of enhancing population wellbeing, health promotion, and disease prevention toward population health and economic benefits through strengthened health policies.
How information is being collected
There are three main aspects to the study:
- Global survey
- Portuguese case study
- Interviews with policy stakeholders
Data collection is underway from October 2025 to February 2026.
Who can participate?
Any person aged 18 years or older and able to communicate in English.
Language
The study is in English, but our researchers can answer your email queries in English, French, German, Portuguese or Spanish.
Documents
- Information flyer – we encourage you to share this with colleagues around the world
- Information about the study (download PDF)
- Direct link to the global survey: https://redcap.link/TCM-global
- Information for interview participants available on request
- Direct link to the Portugal case study and Policy Developer surveys: https://redcap.link/TCM-enquete
- Letter of ethics approval from The University of Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee ID#33208
Findings
A summary of findings and links to publications will be included here when they become available.
Investigators
- Lead: Dr Rachel Canaway, Department of General Practice & Primary Care, The University of Melbourne, Australia
- A/Prof Pascoal Amaral, Jean Piaget Polytechnic Institute of the South and the Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Portugal
- Dr Daniela Ramirez-Duran, Department of General Practice & Primary Care, The University of Melbourne
- Dr Jo-anne Hughson, Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne
- Dr Nupur Nag, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne
- Dr Katja Boysen, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Dr Jennifer Carè, The University of Melbourne & University of Technology Sydney
- Dylan McCarthy, Department of General Practice & Primary Care, The University of Melbourne