News update

News Update RESEARCH O N C O M P L E M E N T A R Y MEDICINE The prestigious journal Nature recently published an important research article on complementary medicine stating that an Australian survey suggested that more than half of the general population seek treatment in Complementary Medicine. The article involved two studies: a questionnaire sent to every GP practice in Devon and Cornwall, and a study undertaken by a UK daily newspaper, The Guardian, who produced a questionnaire, reported as follows, to which there were 386 respondants. The purpose of The Guardian study was to ask the public about their experiences with complementary/alternative medicine. 95.6% reported it had improved their quality of life, with 91.4% having a positive attitude to the therapies. However, on the question of treatment outcome, 23.8% reported adverse effects with 12.5% of the public reporting adverse effects from acupuncture. The study involving the Devon and Cornwall General Practices (n=972) firstly enquired about the numbers of patients approaching their GPs experiencing problems with complementary/alternative therapies. Of the respondants 176 (38.2%) reported adverse effects, with a further 11 reports of disappointment at treatment outcome. In addition, 17 cases complained of inappropriate management or misdiagnosis by complementary therapists. Further revelations from patients receiving chiropractic and osteopathic treatment proved to show a greater amount of adverse effects as reported by the GPs. Three such patients ended up with bone fractures and two others with neurological damage in respect of spinal cord transection and disc protusion. However, such survey data were inevitably limited with the first questionnaire involving relatively healthy proponents of complementary medicine. The GP survey, on the other hand, collected more serious reports of adverse effects. Neither survey questionnaires had a prevalance of reliable figures, but both sets of data clearly illustrate that complementary/alternative medicine is not without risks. More rigorous investigations have been suggested by Professor E. Ernst and his team at the Department of Complementary Medicine Postgraduate Medical School, University of Essex, UK in order to design

a strategy to minimize harm to potential patients. Ken Atherton Medical Homeopath/ University Lecturer

D E P A R T M E N T OF C O M P L E M E N T A R Y MEDICINE Following the institution of the first Chair in Complementary Medicine at the University of Exeter in 1993, a Department of Complementary Medicine has now also been established within the University's Postgraduate Medical School. The Department, the first of its kind, is seen as an important achievement in respect of the clinical research team who have to date published in the region of 100 research papers and several books. In addition, this year marks the third Annual Symposium on Complementary Health with the recent inauguration of an Annual Scientific Award in the field of complementary medicine. Further good news includes expansion of the present research team under Professor E. Ernst and the setting up of two industry-funded Research Fellow posts. With the creation of the Department of Complementary Medicine, expectations are high for an even more successful programme in clinical research. Ken Atherton Medical Homeopath/ University Lecturer

MARY SEACOLE RESEARCH CENTRE The Mary Seacole Research Centre was recently established at De Monffort University. The mission of the centre is to focus on race and ethnic research in health care and it provides an attractive opportunity to collaborate with staff engaged in similar work in the health service. One of the aims of the centre is to produce Seacole Scholars through programmes of MPhil and PhD studies. The Director of the Centre, Mel Chavannes, would be keen to hear from people interested in developing research in these fields or relating to complementary medicine. The address to contact is: Mel Chevannes, Mary Seacole Research Centre, De Montfort University, Charles Frears Campus, 266 London Road, Leicester LE2 1R, UK. Tel: 0116 270 0661; Fax:0116 270 9722.

C O M P L E M E N T A R Y THERAPIES IN M I D W I V E R Y N A T I O N A L INTEREST GROUP The third meeting of the Group was held on Saturday 20 April 1996 in Oxford, UK

ComplementaryTherapiesin Nursing& Midwifery (I 996) 2, 139-142 9 1996 Pearson Professional Ltd

and 37 midwives attended from as far afield as Truro, Wales, Liverpool, Kent, and the North East. A problem-solving forum enabled midwives to discuss difficulties of implementing complementary therapies within their individual work settings. This was followed by 5 sub-groups in which midwives already actively involved in using complementary therapies discussed their work. Acupuncture, aromatherapy, reiki, Bach flower remedies, and a 9 staff de-stressing service were the topics available. The next meeting will be held on Saturday 28 September in Warwick. Contact: Denise Tiran, School of Health, University of Greenwich, Elizabeth Raybould Centre, Bow Arrow Lane, Dartford, Kent DA2 6PJ, UK. Please enclose SAE. Annual membership is s - please send a postal order (no cheques) to the Chair.

C O M P L E M E N T A R Y PRACTICES IN MEDICAL/NURSING EDUCATION A panel of experts in the US has issued recommendations for incorporating complementary practices into medical/nursing education. The National Conference on Medical and Nursing Education in Complementary Medicine, held 5-7 June 1996 in Bethesda, Massachusetts, issued the following statement which is to be sent to medical and nursing schools around the US for further development: 9 Medical and nursing education should include information about complementary practices. Suggested formats include didactic and experiential learning opportunities, continuing education courses, faculty development programmes, and selflearning through comprehensive databases and electronic and print resources. 9 Medical and nursing education should include information about each complementary discipline' s philosophical and spiritual paradigm, scientific foundation, educational preparation, practice, and evidence of efficacy and safety. 9 National centres of excellence should continue to be developed to foster collaboration among complementary practitioners, nurses, and physicians, and to promote synergy among education research and clinical practices. For further information, contact: The Office of Alternative Medicine, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building 31, Room 5B-38, Mail Stop 2182, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Telephone: +00 301 402 2466; Fax: +00 301 402 4741.

140

News Update/EventsGuide

CENTRALIZED REGISTER OF POLICY The Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust is developing its policy regarding the use of complementary therapies. Anne-Marie Brennan of the hospital's Complementary Therapy and Research Centre would like to hear from others with experience in this area interested in helping collate information for a centralized register of policy and protocols. Further information: Anne-Marie Brennan, Complementary Therapy and Research Centre, The Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust, Lewisham High Street, Lewisham, London, SE13 6LH, UK. Telephone: 0181 314 1834.

the status of 'alternative and complementary medicine, herbs and dietary supplements' through the implementation of legislation and harmonization. His committee is scheduled to report to the European Parliament in 1996. Any resulting legislation is likely to affect the consumer's access to complementary medicine products and practitioners. Further information is available from: The National Medicines Society, Market Chambers, 13a Market Place, Heanor, Derbyshire DE75 7AA, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1773 710002; Fax: +44 (0)1773 533855.

'STOP OR GO? THE BRUSSELS DILEMMA'

N O R T H EAST THAMES REGIONAL N E T W O R K OF THE RCN C O M P L E M E N T A R Y THERAPY FORUM

The National Medicines Society has published a booklet 'Stop or go? the Brussels dilemma'. The booklet is a summary for the public of a report produced by MEP Paul Lannoye for the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection. Lannoye's report called for a resolution of

Members of the Forum from this region and others interested in joining are invited to contact their regional contact Sheena Wyllie. Sheena would like to help set up regular meetings for the exchange of ideas and information and possible study days and seminars. Further details: Sheena Wyllie, Royal London Homoepathic

Events Guide MOVERS, SHAKERS A N D HEALERS HARVESTING HEALTH. N E W HAMPSHIRE, USA. 18-20 OCTOBER 1996 The annual international conference of the US group, Nurse Healers-Professional Associates, Inc., Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, USA. The conference will explore the mind-body connection as it relates to a variety of healing modalities. Key speakers: Candace Pert, Dolores Krieger, Dora Kunz, Loretta Laroche. Open to anyone interested in the healing arts. Further information: Tel: +1 603 228 5650.

W H A T T O D O IF A R A N D O M I Z E D TRIAL IS N O T POSSIBLE? A N I N T E R N A T I O N A L SYMPOSIUM O N M E T H O D O L O G Y OF O U T C O M E STUDIES, CLINICAL A U D I T A N D SCIENTIFIC Q U A L I T Y M A N A G E M E N T IN C O M P L E M E N T A R Y MEDICINE. M U N I C H , GERMANY. 24-25 OCTOBER 1996 This meeting aims to provide a forum for

all individuals involved or interested in methodology of clinical trials in complementary medicine. Main topics: Does current complementary research reflect complementary practice? How to improve uncontrolled clinical trials. Assessing outcomes - how to measure what? How to deal with complex interventions. Examples of current research projects. Further details: Mrs U Burtein, Projekt Mianchener Modell, Kaiserstral3e 9, 80801 Mtinchen, Germany. Tel: +49 (0)89 33041040; Fax: +49 (0)89 393484. E-mail: ui621 ai @sunmail.lrz-muenchen.de.

THE USE OF COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES IN THE T R E A T M E N T OF DRUG USERS. L O N D O N , UK. 25 OCTOBER, 1996 Resource Centre London Voluntary Sector, London, UK. This day conference will outline the various treatments available for the treatment of drug use and drug-related rehabilitation, provide an overview of current and published research, and examine treatment models. Its emphasis will be on tackling both the drug addition and the specific health problems that arise from drug use. Further information: Stephen Kippax or Nicola Cairns, 1B Westbourne Terrace Road, Little Venice, London W2 6NJ, UK. Tel: +44 (0)181 980 0702.

Hospital NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3HR, UK. Tel: +44 (0)171 833 7202; Fax: +44 (0)171 833 7212.

THE RCN C O M P L E M E N T A R Y THERAPY FORUM The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Complementary Therapy Forum started as a RCN special interest group in 1991. The group gained Forum status within the RCN in 1994 and now has a definable annual budget and expanded committee and voting rights at the RCN Congress. The Forum produces a newsletter 'In Touch' and organizes regular conferences on aspects of practice, policy, and research. The Forum is open to all RCN members interested in, or currently using, complementary therapies in their clinical practice. Membership is approaching 1700. One of the major objectives for the Forum is to produce a code of practice for nurses using complementary therapies. It is hoped that this will influence the development of national guidelines, which in turn will facilitate local policy and practice. For further information, contact: Ann Synott, RCNCT Forum Administrator. Tel: +44 (0)171 409 3333.

ICM CONFERENCE A N D SEMINARS. C O M P L E M E N T A R Y MEDICINE - THE A D D E D DIMENSION. UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE, PRESTON, UK. 26-27 OCTOBER 1996 An event from the Faculty of Health at the University of Central Lancashire in Partnership with the Institute for Complementary Medicine. This conference is followed by four seminars on 27 October 1996. Homoeopathy, reflexology, healing counselling, and hypnotherapy are offered as choices as full day events. Credits for Continuing Education and Institute for Complementary Medicine certificates of attendance will be issued. Fees: Conference s + VAT; Seminar only s + VAT; Conference and Seminar s + VAT. Details: Anne Parker, CCL, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2HE, UK. Fax: 01772 892938.

T R A D I T I O N A L CHINESE MEDICINE: THE W A Y FORWARD, L O N D O N UK. 2 NOVEMBER 1996 The second Annual Conference on Complementary Therapies to be held at Middlesex University, London, UK, in conjunction with Ming-Ai (London)