Lynne Hurley
Exploring the Practical Issues of Integration by setting up Referral Systems from an Osteopath and a General Practitioner to a Medical Herbalist
Abstract
The aims of the study were to explore the practical and procedures issues of integration for practitioners and patients, by designing and implementing a protocol for referral from an osteopath and a GP to a medical herbalist and to evaluate the referral service offered.
Two studies were carried out:
Study 1.
A letter was sent to 87 GPs in Enfield, Middlesex, requesting their support in designing a protocol for referral to a medical herbalist. A total of 4 responses were received with 3 stating that they did not wish to take part in the study. 1 GP showed further interest but was unable to be contacted and so the study did not progress.
Study 2.
A co-operative enquiry was carried out between an osteopath and a medical herbalist over a 3-month period in Enfield in order to set up procedures for referral. During the 3 months a total of 4 patients were referred to the medical herbalist in order to test the procedures involved. The outcome of the study identified the areas of need for referral, considered ways of developing an understanding between practitioners involved and considered their concerns and difficulties in referral. The patient
