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Issues in complementary therapies: how we got to where we are
1University of Minnesota School of Nursing, USA. snyde002@tc.umn.edu
Online Journal of Issues in Nursing
|July 27, 2001
Summary
Consumer interest in complementary and alternative therapies (CATs) is rising. Nurses can lead research and integration of CATs into mainstream healthcare, enhancing patient care and scientific understanding.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Integrative Health
- Complementary and Alternative Therapies (CATs)
Background:
- Growing consumer demand for complementary and alternative therapies (CATs).
- Historical use of certain CATs within nursing practice.
- Limited integration of over 1800 identified therapies into conventional healthcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of nursing in the integration of CATs.
- To highlight nursing's potential leadership in CAT research.
- To advocate for a stronger scientific foundation for CATs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on CATs and nursing practice.
- Analysis of nursing's historical and current involvement with CATs.
- Discussion of strategies for integrating CATs into the biomedical model.
Main Results:
- Nursing has a tradition of using selected CATs.
- Nurses have initiated research into specific CATs.
- Significant potential exists for nursing to lead CAT integration.
Conclusions:
- Nursing is well-positioned to integrate CATs into Western medicine.
- Further research is crucial to establish a robust scientific evidence base for CATs.
- Nursing leadership can advance the use of evidence-based CATs in patient care.