Traditional and complementary medicine professionals

Traditional and complementary medicine professionals examine patients, prevent and treat illness, disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments and maintain general health in humans by applying knowledge, skills and practices acquired through extensive study of the theories, beliefs and experiences, originating in specific cultures.
Tasks include -
(a) conducting physical examinations of patients and interviewing them and their families to determine their health status;
(b) developing and implementing treatment plans for physical, mental and psychosocial ailments using applications such as acupuncture, ayurvedic, homeopathic and herbal medicine;
(c) evaluating and documenting patients’ progress through treatment plans;
(d) providing health, nutrition and lifestyle advice to individuals, families and communities;
(e) prescribing and preparing traditional medicines, such as herbal, plant, mineral and animal extracts, to stimulate the body’s capacity for self-healing;
(f) exchanging information about patients with other health care workers as needed to ensure continuing and comprehensive health care;
(g) conducting research into traditional and complementary medicines and treatments and disseminating findings such as through scientific papers and reports.
Examples of the occupations classified here:
- Acupuncturist
- Ayurvedic practitioner
- Chinese herbal medicine practitioner
- Homeopath
- Naturopath
- Unani practitioner
Some related occupations classified elsewhere:
- Chiropractor - 2269
- Osteopath - 2269
- Acupuncture technician - 3230
- Ayurvedic technician - 3230
- Herbalist - 3230
- Homeopathy technician - 3230
- Scraping and cupping therapist - 3230
- Village healer - 3230
- Witch doctor - 3230
- Acupressure therapist - 3255
- Hydrotherapist - 3255
- Shiatsu therapist - 3255
- Faith healer - 3413
Notes
Occupations in traditional and complementary medicine for which competent performance requires an extensive understanding of the benefits and applications of traditional and complementary therapies, developed as the result of extended formal study of these techniques as well as human anatomy and elements of modern medicine, are classified in Unit Group 2230: Traditional and Complementary Medicine Professionals. Those occupations whose practice requires a less extensive understanding based on relatively short periods of formal or informal education and training, or informally through the traditions and practices of the communities where they originated, are included in Unit Group 3230: Traditional and Complementary Medicine Associate Professionals. Practitioners working in the singular application of approaches to herbal medicines, spiritual therapies or manual therapeutic techniques are excluded from Unit Group 2230.

Narrower occupations

- aromatherapist

- complementary therapist

Concept URI

Concept Uri

http://data.europa.eu/esco/isco/C2230

Status