Chinese medicine research project: Chronic Kidney Disease

June 20, 2009

Dear Practitioners

I am writing to invite you to participate in an on-line survey to support my

research into Chinese medicine treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). The

research is for my dissertation project for the BSc (Hons) Acupuncture course at

the College of Integrated , Reading, England.

According to recent UK Government information:

• The cost of kidney dialysis and transplant treatments consumes over 2% of the

National Health Service budget

• Approximately 10% of the population suffers from CKD.

Literature suggests that Chinese medicine can be effective for treating CKD but

the recent introduction of a Stage assessment for CKD progression has developed

the Western perspective on treatment and management. The potential for Chinese

medicine needs to correspond to the changes in Western views.

My research question is therefore:

What evidence exists that Chinese medicine can mitigate the costs of Western

treatments for patients diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease using the 5 Stage

classification system, especially where there is a prognosis of dialysis or

transplant?

If you are able to support this research with details from one or more cases

that you have treated, you can complete a short on-line questionnaire that is

accessed through the following link:

Multiple cases from individual practitioners would be most welcome.

Please note that your responses will remain confidential and anonymous. Only

aggregated data will be used for analysis in the dissertation. Completing and

submitting the questionnaire constitutes your consent to participate.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Alternatively,

you may contact my College directly.

Thank you in advance for your support with this research project.

Norman Savigar

Third Year Student

BSc (Hons) Acupuncture Course

College of Integrated

19 Castle Street, Reading, Berkshire. RG1 7SB

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