Referral patterns of GPs to complementary and alternative medicine
Item
- Title
- Referral patterns of GPs to complementary and alternative medicine
- Author(s)
- Smith Robbie
- Abstract
-
AbstractIntroduction: The use of complimentary and alternative medicine is widespread and increasing across the country and the public demand for its inclusion on the NHS is high. Recommendations have been made that all CAM should be via GP referrals. However, GPs' attitude to CAM is varied. This study investigated whether GPs referred regardless of attitude if they had a policy in place to do so.
Methods: Questionnaire based survey of GPs in the Mersey region selected at random. Linking referral patterns to certain CAM therapies with: NHS contracts, GP attitudes to CAM, and GP attitudes to CAM funding.
Results: There was no difference in the referral tendencies of GPs according to demographic status or PMS or GMS. Relatively more GPs referred if there was a policy in place to do so. Relatively fewer GPs referred if there was no policy. Attitudes played a significant role in the referral tendencies of GPs. However significant associations were shown between policy and referral regardless of attitude.
Discussion: Attitude of GPs towards Complementary and Alternative Medicine and its funding on the NHS varies across the profession. Results from this study suggest that GPs will refer if there is a policy in place regardless of their attitude. However, this is only for certain therapies that are most respected by the orthodox medical profession. - presented at
- British College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Date Accepted
- 0
- Date Submitted
- 1.1.1970 00:00:00
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 13605
- Inst-Identifier
- 1076
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Smith Robbie, “Referral patterns of GPs to complementary and alternative medicine”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed April 23, 2025, https://library.wso.at/s/orw/item/1152