An audit of the impact of introducing microacupuncture into primary care.
In 1997, one of the partners in a general practice in NW London comprising 6,700 patients began using microacupuncture--a very brief form of treatment described by Felix Mann. The computer system used for patient records was modified to allow easy recording of details of acupuncture treatments; the latter being performed opportunistically in standard 10-minute consultations. Over the course of three years, during which time a second partner began using acupuncture, referrals to acute physiotherapy (conditions present for < 3 months) fell by 86%, and referrals to outpatient rheumatology fell by 51%. This is likely to represent a considerable cost saving to the NHS.
Ross
J
J
Juliette.Ross@gp-E84084.nhs.uk
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000639:trends*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014600:Utilization Review