Integrating Complementary Therapies in Primary Care: A Practical Guide for Health Professionals

Abstract

PART ONE: BACKGROUND. 1. Complementary Medicine in Practice. Introduction. What is CAM? The present situation. Provision of CAM in mainstream medical care. Key issue to be addressed. How can CTs be integrated into primary care? Summary. 2. Models and research in CTs. Introduction. Models and theories of healing. Research. Research into specific conditions. Models and research in individual therapies. Research evidence. PART TWO: CT SERVICE IMPLEMENTATION. 3. Designing an integrated service. Introduction. Key issues and questions for practice development and clinical governance. Models of integration and delivery. People issues. Funding and resource issues. Legal considerations. Issues of learning and communication. Information for doctors on specific CT techniques, training & organization. Practitioner development. Practice professional development planning. Patient involvement. Design of material. An examples of service design: the Marylebone Health Centre (MHC) project. Key information sources. 4. Delivering and evaluating the service. Introduction. The service delivery process. Examples of integrated delivery in practice. Can complementary medicine be cost effective? New developments in the Marylebone PCG: disseminating the approach. Summary. 5. Reflecting on and adapting the service. Introduction. Feedback on the service. Reflections. Looking forward. Summary: some final pointers. PART THREE: SERVICE DOCUMENTATION AND INFORMATION SHEETS. 6. Information sheets on management of common disorders. Allergies and intolerance. Anxiety and panic attacks. Asthma. Cardiovascular disease. Headache and migraine. Infections. Irritable bowel syndrome. Mechanical back, neck and head pain. Osteoarthritis. Painful periods. Persistently aching joints and muscles. Premenstrual syndrome. Problems around the menopause. Rheumatoid arthritis. Tiredness and fatigue. 7. Patient Advice and self-help sheets. Therapies. Conditions. Exercises. Diets. 8. Blank forms and evaluation documentation. Introduction. GP to in-house CT referral form. Therapy choice questionnaire. Analysing your results. MYMOP guides and forms. The Smith Project - CP guide to clinical data entry (filemaker Pro 4.1). Staff appraisal and development form. Appendices. Appendix I: Summary and recommendations of a report by the House of Lords Select Committee on complementary and alternative medicine, November 2000. Appendix II: Useful addresses. Appendix III: Information sources. Index.