You have been asked to write a briefing paper (an essay) for your local Primary Care Network (group of GPs) as a basis for discussing a potential acupuncture service, based on patient request as well as evidence. They have some concerns, having heard criticisms about the evidence base for acupuncture. For example: comments about acupuncture being a placebo, or no better than placebo, and trials not being double-blinded. They also feel that qi, yin and yang and meridians cant exist. Respond to these concerns and consider anything else the GPs might need to be assured/informed of to justify and support a service.Draw on appropriate sources as relevant to support your arguments: trials, systematic reviews and basic (mechanisms) research, opinion papers, etc. The assignment should provide evidence for are that you can: Demonstrate knowledge of the steps of critical appraisal, and an ability to identify main threats to validity in a scientific research paper Understand the pitfalls of traditional literature reviews and the steps involved in a systematic literature review Find relevant literature in the professional journals and use it to inform your learning and reflections, and support your written arguments