COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES IN A FAMILY HEALTH UNIT: REDUCING MEDICATIONS AND ENHANCING THE TEAM TIES

Introduction/Objectives: Complementary therapies are efficient to promote well-being. Usually the patients are referred to acupuncture as a specialist, in the second level of attention to health. The object of this study is to report a different experience, when the family health team offered this treatment as a group of collective activity. Methods: Ten patients were selected by the community agents to form a group that got together once a week for ten weeks. The criteria was cronic pain and the elderly had preference to start the treatment. The family physician studied acupuncture and trained the community agents to practice moxabustion and cupping therapy. The patients remained to receive the treatment. Results/Conclusions: The community agents reported felling valued learning a new practice that could help the patients and the work as a team strengthened the connection between them. Throughout 18 months of experience, 72 patients were attended. The pain relief and the usage of pain medication was asked and noted every week. It was reported a reduction of anti-inflammatory and analgesic medication in 78%. The pain was measured asking the patients to give a grade to the pain, from zero (no pain) to ten (the worst pain ever). It was observed a decrease of the pain grade by 80% of the patients attended. The acupuncture and the other techniques were effective to relief the patients pain reducing medication usage. Other positive and unexpected outcomes were the healthcare workers increased self-steam and improved teamwork.