Guild members have access to research abstracts connected to healing and related healing articlesThe following information is for general interest only . Take a scientific look at how Therapeutic Touch affects cells click link for full article http://www.advance.uconn.edu/2008/081117/08111708.htm A complementary medicine pilot project held in Northern Ireland has recently made the following results public.
As well as an extensive report with detailed responses from patients, GPs and practitioners, using a validated audit tool, focus groups and surveys, the report has made recommendations about the way forward.
http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/hss/complementary-alternative-medicine.
The Results:
Following the pilot, 80% of patients reported an improvement in their symptoms, 64% took less time off work and 55% reduced their use of painkillers.
In the pilot, 713 patients with a range of ages and demographic backgrounds and either physical or mental health conditions were referred to various complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies via nine GP practices in Belfast and Londonderry.
Health improvement
* 81% of patients reported an improvement in their physical health
* 79% reported an improvement in their mental health
* 84% of patients linked an improvement in their health and wellbeing
directly to their CAM treatment
* In 65% of patient cases, GPs documented a health improvement,
correlating closely to patient-reported improvements
* 94% of patients said they would recommend CAM to another patient with
their condition
* 87% of patient indicated a desire to continue with their CAM treatment
Painkillers and medication
* Half of GPs reported prescribing less medication and all reported that
patients had indicated to them that they needed less
* 62% of patients reported suffering from less pain
* 55% reported using less painkillers following treatment
* Patients using medication reduced from 75% before treatment to 61%
after treatment
* 44% of those taking medication before treatment had reduced their use
afterwards
Health service and social benefits
* 24% of patients who used health services prior to treatment (i.e.
primary and secondary care, accident and emergency) reported using the
services less after treatment
* 65% of GPs reported seeing the patient less following the CAM referral
* Half of GPs said the scheme had reduced their workload and 17%
reported a financial saving for their practice
* Half of GPs said their patients were using secondary care services
less
Despite initial scepticism, the GPs involved were almost unanimously in
favour after seeing tangible results. In 99% of patient cases GPs said
they would refer the patient, or a different patient, to the scheme
again and in 98% of cases GPs said they would recommend the service to
other GPs. However, they also called for more information to help build
their understanding of CAM therapies.
Press Reports - The Report has already generated some press interest,
even though there is no news yet about the way forward:
Patients 'healthier' after complementary medicine
http://www.healthcarerepublic.com/news/NURSE/881347/Patients-healthier-c
complementary-medicine/
Patients call for NHS complementary therapy
http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/health/Health+NHS-1432.html
Patients call for NHS complementary therapy
http://www.hospitalhealthcare.com/default.asp?title=PatientscallforNHSco
mplementarytherapy&page=article.display&article.id=15637
Complementary therapies backed for NHS funding
http://s3.redeye-email.com/start/ShowHtml.asp?mi=5450-280353-12101:25300
American Healing Touch Article CT for Children with cancer CT for children with cancer Healing touch and cancer |
