Postgraduate Researchers in Science Medicine Conference 2005: Abstracts
The use of CAM as part of FMS self-management
Robert Hardy-Pickering & Dr Nikki Adams
An investigation into the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine ( CAM) in the treatment or self-management of Fibromyalgia ( FMS)
The information available about how widespread is the use of CAM by those persons with FMS is limited, however, this group reports a high usage of CAM in the scientific literature, yet to date there is little scientific evidence of its efficacy or effectiveness to justify its use as part of conventional medical services.
Within the NHS setting, FMS patients do not routinely have CAM made available to them and is accessible privately or via the medium of patient-led support groups. As health services within the UK increasingly represent a `needs commissioning model’ whereby funding is conditional upon providers demonstrating the effectiveness at meeting those needs, the proposed study will provide information on the perceived needs of FMS patients with regard to CAM provision.
The present study seeks to explore experiences, attitudes and beliefs of members of Fibromyalgia Syndrome ( FMS) support groups regarding the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine ( CAM) and conventional medical services in FMS Management. The study is to be conducted in two phases. The first phase involves the completion of a questionnaire by FMS patients. The second phase will involve in depth interviews, with the intention of further exploring their individual experiences of CAM and orthodox treatments.
Robert Hardy-Pickering, Centre for Research in Healthcare, Liverpool John Moores University, 70 Great Crosshall Street, Liverpool L3 2AB
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