I hold license to practice acupuncture in NY and NJ. I don't have to work "under" anyone at all. NYS mandates for the acupuncturist to advise their patients to seek medical treatment for the same problems they seek acupuncture. In NJ they also require areferral, but not supervision from MD/DO,however I have yet to see it being observed
.I suppose if I took insurance it would be relavent b/c a referral implies medical neccessity.
When I worked with no-fault and personal injury cases, they've been seen by MD/DO anyway. But other than that...most insurances still don't pay for acupuncture
But in this case I have a lot of time to spend with the pt and to cut down on the stupid paper work.
To reflect on your other point ...there are many,many docs who work under other docs, or employed as salaried employees by hospitals and corporations.
If we are talking about just primary care,well, these days money is really tight in that field.So between my RN (which I also do as independent contractor) and private acupuncture practice being in the 6 figure income is not a problem. Money alone would not be a good enough reason for me to enter medicine. So I just hope that I know what I'm doing,b/c no question I want to be a doc, and will take "good and bad" that comes wit the territory. But I'm a bit older than most who go to med school, and my personal health is not really that optimal at least for now.Naturally I'm anxious about the whole thing.
Thanks