[AJA 2021 LECTURE 7] Communicating with confidence: How to overcome common objections to acupuncture using scientific evidence

This lecture reviews the process and difficulties faced in including acupuncture in UK NICE guidelines. Upon review of the history of NICE recommendations for acupuncture for low back pain, migraine, OA, and all chronic pain, one finds that acupuncture has repeatedly been included and excluded from the guidelines due to the inconsistent standards applied for acupuncture vs. other treatments in treatment evaluation (e.g. control group, cost-effectiveness, committee member composition).
Format

Recorded Video

Starting date

November 21 2021 

Faculty

Dr.  Mel Hopper Koppelman

Credits

0.5 CPD

Duration

45 minutes

Price

$ 20

Overview

Learning Objectives

CME Credits

This lecture reviews the process and difficulties faced in including acupuncture in UK NICE guidelines. Upon review of the history of NICE recommendations for acupuncture for low back pain, migraine, OA, and all chronic pain, one finds that acupuncture has repeatedly been included and excluded from the guidelines due to the inconsistent standards applied for acupuncture vs. other treatments in treatment evaluation (e.g. control group, cost-effectiveness, committee member composition).
It is easy to think that once scientific evidence for a specific treatment is established, evidence speaks for itself and the results are automatically reflected in guidelines and clinical practice, but one needs to account for potential political interventions, and acupuncture has also faced such opposition in its inclusion process in UK's NICE guidelines.
The definition of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and the process through which EBM is reflected in clinical decision-making, including supporting evidence from systematic reviews (SRs), meta-analyses, and economic analyses results for acupuncture with sham controls are examined in detail. Regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment, the strength of evidence was strong for migraines, headaches, chronic low back pain, knee osteoarthritis, allergic rhinitis, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and postoperative pain.
* Review the current evidence for acupuncture including the 'Acupuncture Evidence Project - A Comparative Literature Review,' conducted by the AACMA (Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association), and various SRs and meta-analyses.
* Review the history of UK NICE recommendations for acupuncture for low back pain, migraines, OA, and all chronic pain.
* Compare the different standards used for acupuncture vs. other treatments in evaluation of treatments in NICE guideline development (e.g. control group, cost-effectiveness, committee member composition).
The following is activity is accredited to provide the following credits: 
  • 0.5 APHRA CPD hours

Faculty and disclosure

Dr. Mel Hopper Koppelman

DAc, MSc, MSc - Bio
  • Executive Director of Evidence Based Acupuncture
  • Clinical Director at Harbor Integrative Health
Dr. Mel Hopper Koppelman has disclosed no relevant financial relationships to this activity.


Planners, Reviewers and Editors

Jinho Lee, KMD

In-Hyuk Ha, KMD
Meriong Kim, KMD
Seungmin Kathy Lee, KMD

Young-suk Yoon, KMD
Jinhun Park, KMD

Andrew Jang, L.Ac

Ju Seok Lee

The planners, reviewers, and editors have disclosed no relevant financial relationships to this activity.

Disclosures

Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine requires every individual in a position to control educational content to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

All relevant financial relationships for anyone with the ability to control the content of this educational activity are listed below and have been mitigated according to Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine policies. Others involved in the planning of this activity have no relevant financial relationships. 

Disclaimer

The opinions and ideas expressed in this educational activity are solely those of the faculty and are not necessarily endorsed by, nor do they necessarily reflect, those of their affiliated institution(s) or Jaseng Medical Academy. Clinical judgment must guide each physician in weighing the possible risks and benefits of any diagnostics, interventions, or treatments discussed. Physicians should review manufacturers’ product information and consider these along with the recommendations of other authorities when applying the assessment and/or clinical management strategies discussed in this activity to their patients.

CME Information

CME Accreditation Statement

Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit(s) commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Discussion of Off-Label Uses and Investigational Products

During the course of their presentation(s), the faculty may mention the use of the product(s) that have not been approved for the indication(s) being discussed. All faculty are instructed to notify when they are discussing unapproved uses or investigational agents. In addition, relevant slides will include notation of the off-label use or investigational agent being discussed. Views presented related to unapproved uses of products are solely those of the faculty and are not endorsed by, nor do they reflect, those of Jaseng Medical Academy.

Statement of Independence

CME activities of Jaseng Medical Academy are developed and conducted in accordance with the ACCME's Essential Areas and Policies. It is the mission of Jaseng Medical Academy to develop and present CME and other educational activities in the field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine that are timely, balanced, scientifically rigorous, and that serve to improve competency, performance, and patient outcomes. To that end, we welcome your comments on areas of needs and/or gaps in your medical practice and how to better serve your needs.

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Refunds and Cancelations

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This activity is designed to be completed within the time designated on the title page; physicians should claim only those credits that reflect the time spent in the activity. To successfully earn credit, participants must complete the activity online during the valid credit period that is noted on the title page. 

Cancelations

During the course of their presentation(s), the faculty may mention the use of the product(s) that have not been approved for the indication(s) being discussed. All faculty are instructed to notify when they are discussing unapproved uses or investigational agents. In addition, relevant slides will include notation of the off-label use or investigational agent being discussed. Views presented related to unapproved uses of products are solely those of the faculty and are not endorsed by, nor do they reflect, those of Jaseng Medical Academy.

CME Instructions

There is a variable fee for participating in or receiving credit for this online educational activity. 

This activity is designed to be completed within the time designated on the title page; physicians should claim only those credits that reflect the time spent in the activity. To successfully earn credit, participants must complete the activity online during the valid credit period that is noted on the title page. 

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