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Biomedical subjects

Janet Richardson

Publications and source records attributed to Janet Richardson.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Exploring the evidence: the challenges of searching for research on acupuncture.

In complementary and alternative medicine, a number of basic problems exist for people who search for research-based information, one of which is the way that articles are indexed within the major databases. An exploration of the indexing of acupuncture studies was conducted as part of a review of research on the effectiveness of specific complementary therapies in cancer. Examination of several thesauri demonstrated variability in the terminology used for acupuncture and acupuncture-related therapies. Search strategies reported in published reviews also varied. Consequently, a series of acupuncture-related terms were used to search six major databases. The results provide an indication of the specificity and sensitivity of each term and also suggest which terms may be required for a relatively sensitive search for studies on the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy. A more detailed analysis of relevant research articles revealed a further issue for consideration--that of the variability in indexing by study type. While on MEDLINE randomized controlled trials are routinely identified as a specific publication type, on other databases and for other study types, the situation is less straightforward.

Abstracting and Indexing↗
PubMed2004

What patients expect from complementary therapy: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: Complementary and alternative therapies have become popular with patients in Western countries. Studies have suggested motivations for patients' choosing a wide range of complementary therapies. Data on the expectations of patients who use complementary therapy are limited. We assessed the expectations of patients who use complementary therapy. METHODS: Patients attending a British National Health Service (NHS) outpatient department that provided acupuncture, osteopathy, and homoeopathy were asked to complete a qualitative survey. RESULTS: Patients expected symptom relief, information, a holistic approach, improved quality of life, self-help advice, and wide availability of such therapies on the NHS. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians' understanding of patients' expectations of complementary therapies will help patients make appropriate and realistic treatment choices.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Developing clinical supervision for complementary therapy educators.

To facilitate reflective practice with students of complementary therapy clinical tutors themselves require an understanding and experience of reflective practice. The aim of this study was to implement and evaluate a clinical supervision framework for clinical tutors teaching on the complementary therapy undergraduate program. Clinical supervision was conducted in small groups with a skilled clinical supervisor, and focused on issues arising in the teaching clinic. The evaluation consisted of questionnaires, interviews and focus groups with participants (clinical tutors and clinical supervision facilitators). There is strong evidence that clinical supervision groups offered a supportive learning framework for the clinical tutors, and that this was likely to impact on work with students and patients in a positive way.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Complementary and alternative medicine: socially constructed or evidence-based?

In their lead paper, Kelner and Wellman set out policy recommendations for the development of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). This commentary examines some of the issues raised by Kelner and Wellman that relate to regulation of the professions and the nature of evidence. The extent to which the development of medicine is evidence-based or socially constructed is questioned.

Complementary Therapies↗