Example of successful integration between GPs and CAM practitioners

I’ve just come across a really interesting project. I was looking for examples of integrated GPs practices in the UK and found the Somerset Trust for Integrated Care (a charity) in Glastonbury.

The NHS GPs and a number of therapists. The GPs refer their patients for 3 hours of treatment (typically 4-6 appointments) of Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Herbal medicine, massage therapy or osteopathy. 

Funding for this service has changed since the scheme started. Since 2003, Mendip Primary Care Trust have funded the osteopathy/acupuncture service which operates out of two practices. And the herbal medicine/massage service is part-funded by a grant from Mendip PCT and part-funded by a patient donation of up to £10 per treatment.

The practice carried out an evaluation of the service between 1994-1997. The evaluation considered the referral forms filled out by GPs and questionnaires completed by patients at the time of referral, on completion of the treatment and 6 month after the referral. Interviews were also carried out with a sample of patients, practitioners, doctors and other health service staff. The questionnaires used were:

SF 36 for overall well-being

Beck’s depression inventory (psychological well-being)

FLP index for pain

patient satisfaction forms

questions about patients’ health attitudes

Over 600 patients were referred in the period of the research study. Most were for chronic health conditions, and about a third because conventional medicine wasn’t helping them. 85% of patients reported improvement in their illness following the treatment and this was reflected in the SF-36 questionnaire.

I’d urge you to read their report and see what they have to say. There’s a lot of useful information in the report which would be helpful to any one thinking of setting up an integrated primary care practice. You can read the report here.

Comments

[Simon Jones]

Hey there! Thanks for writing this. I have read the report by clicking on the link you provided and i found the report very informative as I am starting to write a blog about primary care services.I will be following this blog to see if you write anything else i may be able to pass on to my readers.

Simon
Ipswich Chiropractor
http://ipswichchiropractor.co.uk

[Elham kashefi]

Thank you Simon. I'm glad you found this useful. I'd be really interested in your blog. I'll take a look. Please let me know what kinds of things you may be interested to read about that may support what you do.
Elham

[Elham kashefi]

I've just clicked on your site and can't see the blog. Let me know where I can find it - I'll subscribe.
Good to meet you
Elham