This is an article hopefully will be published on BAcC quarterly newsletter to the members. I have been meaning to write it for a long time talking about my experience and why I started the first community acupuncture project in Yorkshire.
Multi-bed acupuncture – a first hand experience
On a recent visit to Taiwan, I spent some time observing a Chinese Medicine/acupuncture practitioner. The atmosphere in the clinic was quite different from the typical acupuncture practices in the UK.
The waiting room was busy and buzzing. One woman was sitting on a bench with various needles on her knees whilst chatting happily to other patients who were sitting around waiting for their appointments. A man with needles on Du20, Du23 and Yin Tang was turning around from his chair in enthusiastic discussion with fellow patients in the waiting line.
After that visit, I asked myself, is the one-on-one model of practicing acupuncture the only way to work here in the UK? How would patients perceive a communal environment, which is the norm in the Far East?
I decided to find out the answer. I set up a pilot scheme in a deprived area of Leeds in 2007 after obtaining a small grant from the Scarman Trust. The funding was used to buy equipment, including a treatment couch and chairs, and contribute towards rent. I worked on a voluntary basis, which was a prerequisite of the funding but charging a small fee for each patient as a token to ensure they were committed to the treatment. This money covered administrative expenses, e.g. phone calls, marketing leaflets etc.
I rented a room, approximately 400 sq ft, in a community centre. For each session, it was set out with a consulting table with two chairs, one treatment couch and 3 reclining chairs. The couch was surrounded by a couple of screens for privacy. There was an additional screen to divide off the consulting area. The 3 reclining chairs were arranged in a semi-circle without further screen or division.
One major issue was patient confidentiality. There was no way to stop other patients listening in the consultation so I designed a questionnaire which patients filled out at their first visit. This allowed me to quickly get an idea what they came for without disclosing confidential information. I also offered patients the opportunity to discuss their conditions in a separate room, but surprisingly, most were happy to carry on the consultation in the communal room.
For new patients I allowed 30 minutes to arrive at a diagnosis and complete needling. It was a challenge sometimes. However, if all Four Diagnostic methods are applied properly, it is possible to achieve this tight schedule. 20 minutes were allocated for follow-up sessions.
After needling, patients were left to rest in the couch or chairs for up to 20 minutes. A lot of the time, they were able to carry on their relaxation after needle withdrawal, which was a real bonus. In a private setting, they would normally be hurried to make way for next patient.
I enjoyed working this way. I could keep an eye on all the patients whilst working around the room. Patients made friends or met old acquaintances while attending the sessions. It was a highly energised environment for people trying to get better and a totally different atmosphere from other settings I have worked in.
The response was overwhelming. Within 4 weeks from kick-off and with minimal marketing, all appointments were taken up (8 in total for half a day). Very soon there was a waiting list. Around half of the patients had acupuncture treatment some time before but had not been attending due to concerns about cost. The other half were new to acupuncture and would not have dreamed of trying it before this project came along.
We saw patients who were on benefits and unable to work. Treatment helped them to gain a sense of control in their lives. We saw a pensioner with knee pain, who was getting no relief from surgery. He magically improved with acupuncture treatment and then went on hiking to raise money for charity. These cases made it all worthwhile being an acupuncturist. Given their circumstances they would not have access to acupuncture treatment through a more traditional private one-on-one setting.
Whilst a number of cases were more suited to a private setting, I feel strongly that multi-bed acupuncture provides a real alternative which can help many who are otherwise excluded. I also feel it is important to let patients choose the type of acupuncture treatment setting that best suits their circumstances.
The pilot scheme has confirmed to me that the ‘multi-bed’ concept is a workable model here in the UK. The fact that there are many similar clinics sprouting out across the country proves the point. It is not however for the faint hearted! The work is much more intensive than conventional one-on-one sessions, not just in managing patients but also in the extra administration and clinic maintenance.
The project ran for two years after the funding ended. I am indebted to the help and support from Olivia Brummer-Hill, Tim Brown and Debbie Smith (all members of BAcC), and Rose Heywood (a volunteer receptionist), all of whom selflessly participated in the project.
Having won the Higher Education Social Entrepreneurship Catalyst Award in 2010, the project is now looking to the future. Our plans are to establish a sustainable social enterprise. This will allow us to expand the benefit of acupuncture to an even wider section of the community.
I hope this article gives a useful insight into what it is like working in a multi-bed setting. You can reach me through email (acumedica@gmail.com).
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