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 Chinese Medicine, 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:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=PdAs71heDdsXAkZXeNhK5Q_3d_3d

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 Chinese Medicine
19 Castle Street, Reading, Berkshire. RG1 7SB