Research

Research is a key activity at this College, amongst both students of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and staff. The research and reflective practice programme studied by acupuncture degree students encourages them to develop research skills and a problem-solving and holistic approach to their practice. They carry out clinical observations on patients for 30 hours a year and also study different research paradigms and techniques, including orthodox research and reflective practice. This culminates in the submission of a final-year research dissertation which is a significant part of the degree.

Integrating research and reflective practice at all levels within our courses helps make it become part of the mindset of our graduates. It allows them to become articulate practitioners who can engage with others within and outside the profession, and know how to keep up to date with research as it is published.

During the third year clinical programme acupuncture students carry out an audit of patients' responses to treatment. Participating in this descriptive clinical audit and outcome study helps students to develop a reflective attitude towards their practice. They are also helping establish a body of evidence that will shed light on the effectiveness of acupuncture.

Below is a link to a synopsis of research done by a recent College graduate:

Roslyn Gibbs - The Effectiveness of Selected Procedures of Infection Control Recommended to Traditional Acupuncturists by the BAcC - 2007

More will be posted soon

College outcome study Under supervision, all third year clinical acupuncture degree students treat patients in the College student clinic. An outcome study which explored patient progress in this clinic found that 93% reported an improvement in their main complaint, with 58.7% reporting a major improvement or full recovery. No one felt worse, and only 7% experienced no change. 88% of responding patients also reported either a large or moderate improvement in their general health.

Shaw, Bidgood and Saebi (2007), 'Exploring acupuncture outcomes in a college clinic: Patient profile and evaluation of overall treatment benefit', European Journal of Oriental Medicine 5(4): 55-63