Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 1997; 2: 187
To investigate medical practice based referrals to Traditional Asian Medicine in one general practice where three GPs were primarily responsible for referrals.
Cavendish Health Centre is a London based NHS GP service. The practice employs a team of complementary therapists (CTs). Patient referrals to CTs are made by GPs who act as gatekeeper. Traditional Asian medicine uses acupuncture and herbal medicine. An osteopath, a massage therapist, a counsellor and a clinical psychologist are also employed.
This paper analyses the referring behaviour of the GPs, the socio-demographic details and diagnosis of patient referral, with a view to assessing what TAM provides the practice.
Analysis of computer data on referred patient population compared with total patient population, and patient visits. Review of patient files and referral correspondence. Review of local and community services offered.
A wide range of named complaints featured in referral patterns. The most common referrals included pain when the results of orthodox GP management were unsatisfactory.
TAM is of value to the gatekeeper physician when the diagnosis is not in doubt or when conventional treatment is ineffective or contradicted, and provides a management tool for the GP and the patient.
