Gail Castañeda1, Sergio Romero1,2, Stephen Mudra3, Ted Gingrich3,4, Charles Levy2,3. 1. Veterans Rural Health Resource Center, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, FL, USA. 2. Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. 3. North Florida/South Georgia Veteran's Health System, Gainesville, FL, USA. 4. Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Abstract
Objective: To assess provider perceptions regarding battlefield acupuncture (BFA) and integrative medicine at a single Veterans Health Administration facility. Materials and Methods: A total of 87 allopathic and osteopathic providers trained to provide BFA were invited to participate in a self-report web-based questionnaire assessing provider BFA perceptions and practice. Mixed methodology was used to analyze closed- and open-ended survey responses. Results: Sixty-six providers completed the survey. On average, most providers reported 3-4 BFA treatments per patient (43.2%) and 1-2 weeks of pain relief per treatment (51.4%). A positive correlation was found between post-BFA complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) attitude and (1) average total patients treated with BFA (r b = 0.41, n = 37, P = 0.01) and (2) percentage of patients treated experiencing meaningful pain relief (r = 0.47, n = 35, P = 0.003). A positive shift in CAM attitudes was observed [F(1, 59) = 25.5, P < 0.001, η p 2 = 0.302]. An overworked schedule was the most salient theme across open-ended questions addressing barriers to practice. Provider BFA attitude comments largely encompassed positive views about BFA treatment utility and effectiveness. Conclusions: Our findings provide preliminary evidence that exposure to BFA training and experience practicing BFA can positively affect provider CAM attitudes. Qualitative findings point to positive provider attitudes and beliefs regarding BFA treatment utility and effectiveness for pain management. BFA is an alternative treatment for pain management that many Veterans Affairs providers deem useful and effective, particularly after exposure to BFA training and as more BFA-related practice is attained. Copyright 2021, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
Objective: To assess provider perceptions regarding battlefield acupuncture (BFA) and integrative medicine at a single Veterans Health Administration facility. Materials and Methods: A total of 87 allopathic and osteopathic providers trained to provide BFA were invited to participate in a self-report web-based questionnaire assessing provider BFA perceptions and practice. Mixed methodology was used to analyze closed- and open-ended survey responses. Results: Sixty-six providers completed the survey. On average, most providers reported 3-4 BFA treatments per patient (43.2%) and 1-2 weeks of pain relief per treatment (51.4%). A positive correlation was found between post-BFA complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) attitude and (1) average total patients treated with BFA (r b = 0.41, n = 37, P = 0.01) and (2) percentage of patients treated experiencing meaningful pain relief (r = 0.47, n = 35, P = 0.003). A positive shift in CAM attitudes was observed [F(1, 59) = 25.5, P < 0.001, η p 2 = 0.302]. An overworked schedule was the most salient theme across open-ended questions addressing barriers to practice. Provider BFA attitude comments largely encompassed positive views about BFA treatment utility and effectiveness. Conclusions: Our findings provide preliminary evidence that exposure to BFA training and experience practicing BFA can positively affect provider CAM attitudes. Qualitative findings point to positive provider attitudes and beliefs regarding BFA treatment utility and effectiveness for pain management. BFA is an alternative treatment for pain management that many Veterans Affairs providers deem useful and effective, particularly after exposure to BFA training and as more BFA-related practice is attained. Copyright 2021, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
Entities:
Keywords:
battlefield acupuncture; complementary and alternative medicine; veterans
Authors: Wayne B Jonas; Dawn M Bellanti; Charmagne F Paat; Courtney C Boyd; Alaine Duncan; Ashley Price; Weimin Zhang; Louis M French; Heechin Chae Journal: Med Acupunct Date: 2016-06-01