Effectiveness

“A good alternative when conventional medicine is not working”
Radford GP

We have evaluated the outcomes for hundreds of patients using pre- and post-treatment measures (SF-36 and MYMOP), and have demonstrated repeatedly that we can effectively treat a range of conditions, including:

• Mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Back pain
• Chronic pain
• Gynaecological and menstrual disorders.

Our flexible, whole person services can address effectiveness gaps in primary care. Research has demonstrated that 91% of GPs feel they have inadequate treatments available for the patients with musculoskeletal disorders, and 45% feel there are gaps for the treatment of depression. 32% of GPs find conventional treatment for chronic pain is unsatisfactory. In all these areas, Impact’s interventions – acupuncture, chiropractic and homeopathy – can be effective, and are very popular with patients.

The outcomes from the recent NHS funded service tally very closely with the outcomes from Impact’s previous clinic. This is particularly encouraging, because the patients from Radford Medical Practice had a maximum of six treatment sessions, whereas patients at the Waverley Health Centre were not restricted to a maximum number of sessions.

Evaluation is an essential and ongoing part of all our activities, as we believe that robust evaluation is necessary to ensure high quality service delivery and outcomes. Areas of evaluation include improvements in patients’ health and wellbeing, as well as reductions in GP attendance rates, medication and referrals to secondary care.

Our results are also very similar to those obtained in the UK’s first government funded trial into the use of complementary therapies in primary care, conducted in Northern Ireland in 2007 – 2008. In that trial (see www.getwelluk.com), the GPs involved were almost unanimously in favour of referrals to complementary services, in the light of such tangible results.

“The treatment has been brilliant. The pain in my back was really severe and has been changed to very mild pain after treatment. I think a few more treatments could eliminate the pain altogether. Overall, brilliant results, life changing, very satisfied with the results.”

Independent researchers based at the Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Community Sciences, University Hospital, Nottingham (Drs Shona Kelly and Emmanuel Atsu Dodor) independently assessed all our SF-36 and MYMOP data in 2006. Dr Kelly also reviewed the data collected on reductions in the take up of NHS resources. This independent academic scrutiny ensures that the results we report are reliable. To read our evaluation results in detail, download the documents listed below.

Downloads:

Impact 2010 - Effective Integration (pdf approx 750Kb)
Impact 2006 (pdf approx 250Kb)
Impact 2005 (pdf approx 250Kb)
Impact 2004 (pdf approx 250Kb)
Impact comments book (pdf approx 100Kb
Dr Shona Kelly 1 (pdf approx 100Kb)
Dr Shona Kelly 2 (pdf approx 100Kb)

Links:

SF-36: www.sf-36.org
MYMOP: http://sites.pcmd.ac.uk/mymop/