Complementary healthcare practices and the implications for nurse practitioners

Complementary, or alternative, healthcare practices are being incorporated into approximately 4 out of 10 Americans' daily health practices. The out-of-pocket expense for such healthcare use was estimated at $21.2 billion in 1997. There are many different forms of complementary health care that nurse practitioners (NPs) must be aware of when evaluating and forming plans of care with their patients. NPs must develop and incorporate interview techniques to obtain this information from their patients to prevent potential interactions. NPs must also be aware of their lack of experience with complementary healthcare practices and the legal liability of incorporating these practices into their practice without appropriate preparation in their use.