Barton House, Beaminster, Dorset, UK.
J Altern Complement Med. 2012 Jun;18(6):555-60. doi: 10.1089/acm.2010.0398.
The purpose of this study was to observe the response to Western acupuncture performed in a National Health Service (NHS) general practice. Outcomes, patient experience, impact on conventional therapies, and appropriateness of acupuncture in general practice were assessed.
An explanatory letter and questionnaire were sent to every patient in a 3-partner rural general practice regarding the acupuncture treatment they had received from the author over a period of 3 years. Completed questionnaires were returned anonymously to the Practice Manager to be collated.
There were 194 surveys were posted; 71% were completed and returned to the Practice Manager. Demographics of patients treated with acupuncture demonstrate that it was administered to patients of all age groups, with the majority on the 40-80-year age span, and female-to-male ratio of 64%:36%, respectively. Following the course of acupuncture, 75% of patients surveyed noted an improvement in their presenting condition; 24% noted no change. Those who benefited from the treatment reported the improvement as complete (26%) or major (38%). Seventy-two percent (72%) of patients judged their "quality of life" to be improved. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of patients stated a reduction or cessation of painkillers and/or anti-inflammatory drugs. Fifty-seven percent (57%) thought that referral to hospital specialist or physiotherapist was avoided as a result of the acupuncture treatment. Twenty-three percent (23%) of patients found acupuncture to be painful; of those, 60% said the pain was only mild. Seventy-two percent (72%) of patients were treated within 1 week of being seen by the general practitioner (GP); the majority (81%) of patients had between one and three treatments. Patient opinion on interval time between GP consultation and treatment, as well as appropriateness of acupuncture in the general practice setting, was extremely favorable.
This survey demonstrates the application of Western acupuncture within a NHS general practice administered by an individual GP. The patients' response scores from an anonymized questionnaire showed beneficial outcomes from acupuncture; patients also perceived that the treatment negated secondary care referral and reduction or cessation of pain-relieving medication.
本研究旨在观察在国民保健制度（NHS）全科诊所中进行的西方针刺疗法的反应。评估了结果、患者体验、对常规治疗的影响以及全科实践中针刺的适宜性。
向一家由三名合伙人组成的农村全科诊所的每位患者发送了一封解释性信函和一份问卷，内容涉及他们在过去三年中接受作者的针刺治疗情况。完成的问卷匿名寄回给诊所经理进行整理。
共寄出 194 份调查；71%完成并寄回给诊所经理。接受针刺治疗的患者的人口统计学特征表明，它适用于所有年龄段的患者，大多数年龄在 40-80 岁之间，男女比例分别为 64%:36%。在接受针刺治疗后，75%接受调查的患者表示他们的病情有所改善；24%表示没有变化。那些受益于治疗的人报告说改善是完全的（26%）或主要的（38%）。72%的患者认为他们的“生活质量”有所提高。69%的患者表示减少或停止使用止痛药和/或消炎药。57%的人认为由于针刺治疗，避免了转介到医院专家或物理治疗师。23%的患者（23%）认为针刺很痛苦；其中 60%的人说疼痛只是轻微的。72%的患者在全科医生（GP）就诊后一周内接受治疗；大多数（81%）患者接受了一到三次治疗。患者对全科医生就诊和治疗之间的间隔时间以及全科实践中针刺的适宜性的看法非常积极。
本调查展示了在 NHS 全科诊所中由个体全科医生管理的西方针刺疗法的应用。匿名问卷的患者反应评分显示针刺疗法有良好的效果；患者还认为治疗可以避免二级保健转诊以及减少或停止止痛药物。
