A Survey on Acupuncturists' Working Styles and Satisfaction

Work Realities and Trends in Satisfaction

Abstract

[Introduction] Work-life balance has become increasingly important in modern society, leading to efforts to promote flexible working arrangements. Acupuncturists have various career options, including self-employment, employment, and freelance work. However, how these work styles impact job satisfaction and work-life balance remains underexplored. Previous surveys have classified acupuncturists' work styles into broad categories such as "self-employment" and "employment." However, recent trends show expanding career opportunities, including roles in sports, education, and beauty industries, as well as multiple job combinations. Additionally, not all licensed acupuncturists work in traditional clinical settings, suggesting diverse career paths. Despite these developments, research on the relationship between work styles, job satisfaction, and quality of life among acupuncturists remains limited. This study explores these factors, aiming to provide insights into how diverse career options influence satisfaction and work-life balance, contributing to discussions on acupuncture career development.[Methods] A cross-sectional study was conducted among currently working acupuncturists. An online questionnaire was distributed with the cooperation of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, the Japan Acupuncture and Moxibustion Association, the All Japan Acupuncture and Massage Association, and a specific SNS group. The survey included items on gender, years of licensure, work style, working hours, marital status, sense of ease (time, economic, mental, and overall life), and satisfaction (work, life, and work-life balance). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and logistic regression analyses were used to assess factors influencing satisfaction.[Results] A total of 500 responses were analyzed. Work styles were distributed as follows: self-employment (65.6%), employment (25.6%), freelance (5.8%), and other occupations (3.0%). The proportion of participants reporting a positive sense of ease ranged from 58.6% to 76.2%, and those with positive satisfaction ranged from 68.2% to 79.4%. Logistic regression analysis revealed no significant association between work style or years of licensure and satisfaction. However, longer working hours were associated with lower satisfaction in both private life and work-life balance.[Discussion] This study indicates that acupuncturists have diverse work styles, and their satisfaction levels were not significantly affected by work style or years of licensure. The presence of multiple work options allows individuals to choose a work style that suits their circumstances and values, potentially contributing to higher satisfaction and quality of life. Additionally, working hours and financial stability were key factors influencing satisfaction. These findings contribute to discussions on career paths and work styles among acupuncturists.