Instauración de un programa de acupuntura en un hospital del sistema público de salud

Abstract

ObjectiveExposing the implementation and operation of an acupuncture program in a public health system hospital in the Spanish region of Andalucia. Designdescriptive (longitudinal, retrospective and observational) series of case studies. LocationUnidad de Gestión Clínica de Aparato Locotomotor, Hospital Valle de Los Pedroches, Pozoblanco (Córdoba, Spain). ParticipantsWe selected a total of 30 patients over age 15, who sought medical consultations for rehabilitation due to a disease—included in the program's indications—that had been refractory to other conventional treatments for over three months. There were 5 dropouts, and 6 patients did not respond to treatment. MethodDevelopment of the program, submission to unit director for review, program approval and implementation. Treatment sessions took place on a weekly basis during eight consecutive weeks, where acupuncture techniques such as stimulation and moxibustion were applied. Key measurementsdemographic data of study participants, features of treated condition and treatment results (subjective improvement reported by the patient). ResultsOut of the 30 patients, there were 26 women and 4 men, with an averga age of of 48 years. The most frequently treated region was the spine (83%). 60% of patients reported partial improvement, 24% reported no improvement and 16% reported a complete improvement. ConclusionAcupuncture represents, for patients with locomotor system pathologies, a therapeutic option that can be implemented and offered in the public health system.