MYMOP - Measure yourself medical outcome profile MYMOP is a patient-generated, or individualised, outcome questionnaire.  It is problem specific but includes general well being.  It is applicable to all patients who present with symptoms, and these can be physical, emotional or social.  It is brief and simple to administer. There have only been two versions in common use.  The first was available after the paper was published in the BMJ in 1996, and this was revised to MYMOP2 after the second validation study in 1999. The BFVEA encourage all their practitioners to participate in MYMOP research. If you would like to view the video of MYMOP, What it is, How to use and what is a good MYMOP please click the link below. http://sites.pcmd.ac.uk/mymop/ If you are a BFVEA Tutor and would like your own copy of the complete video then please contact Dawn White.  We are unable at this time to send copies to all members, friends or visitors.      Major study proves integrated health tackles chronic disease and saves the NHS money 13 May 09 Kaye McIntosh The results of a year-long pragmatic trial show providing complementary healthcare on the NHS improves health and reduces the amount of conventional medicine patients use says Boo Armstrong of Get Well UK. The research, hailed as the first example of the successful integration of complementary and conventional health care on the NHS, was set up in association with FIH. It involved GPs in Northern Ireland offering complementary therapies to two groups of patients with long term conditions: those with musculo-skeletal problems and people with mild to moderate mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and stress. Former Northern Ireland secretary of state, Peter Hain, told the audience: ‘Patients were assessed by their GPs to be generally better and the costs for the NHS were significantly lower.’ The economy also benefited, as nearly two-thirds of patients involved had less time off work. The therapies included acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, homeopathy, reflexology and aromatherapy, all from local practitioners. More than 700 patients took part in the year-long study. The results were impressive, Boo Armstrong, founder of Get Well UK, the organisation that ran the trial in Northern Ireland, told the conference. Independent evaluation showed doctors reported a significant improvement in the health of 65% of the patients. Half the GPs said they had been able to reduce prescribed medication and the same number that their patients needed less frequent referral to hospital. Almost every doctor – 99% – said they would refer patients to the service in future. Patient feedback was also very positive, with statistically significant improvements in the ratings of their condition on the MYMOPS scale, a measure of peoples’ experience of illness. Before the study, nearly half had been unwell for more than five years, and 75 per cent more than a year. More than half the patients were in receipt of benefits such as Disability Living Allowance. After the research, Mr Hain said four-fifths recorded an improvement in the severity of their main symptom and the same proportion said their general health, wellbeing and physical health had got better. ‘It was really exciting,’ Ms Armstrong said. ‘The Department of Health and Social Services in Northern Ireland loved it. Mr Hain agreed. In an earlier session, he told the conference: ‘This is the first example of the successful integration of health care on the NHS in the UK. ‘I believe it shows conclusively that governments in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland should now draw the lessons and establish integrated healthcare available for all our citizens.’ The official report for Northern Ireland’s Department of Health in May 2008 recommended extending the pilot across the province ‘but sadly this has not happened so far’, said Mr Hain, who had left office by that point. Ms Armstrong said: ‘The health minister sat on it and there has been no movement at all.’ Although the evaluation of the study is available on the Department’s website, there was ‘no press release, no background, no nothing,’ she added. Yet it had made a huge difference to the lives of patients who were severely affected by ill-health. Get Well UK, a not-for-profit supplier of complementary healthcare, ran the study, which was supported by the Department of Health and Social Services in Northern Ireland, and evaluated by Social & Market Research. This research was an evaluation of a clinical service offering complementary therapies, and did not compare conventional treatments with CAM. Peter Hain MP talks about his involvement with the study.