Complementary and alternative therapies in nursing education: trends and issues

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Integrative Health
• Complementary and Alternative Therapies (CAT)

Background:

• Increasing public interest in CAT drives the need for their inclusion in nursing education.
• Significant differences exist between conventional Western medicine and CAT paradigms.
• Nurse educators face challenges in integrating CAT into curricula.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the integration of CAT into nursing education.
• To explore the research, educational, legal, financial, and ethical issues surrounding CAT.
• To provide examples and strategies for teaching CAT at various educational levels.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and analysis of existing standards.
• Examination of differing paradigms between Western medicine and CAT.
• Case examples of CAT education in undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education.

Main Results:

• Identified key issues in CAT integration: research, language, education, legal, financial, and ethical.
• Presented sources for current standards in CAT education.
• Provided practical examples and strategies for teaching CAT.

Conclusions:

• Effective integration of CAT into nursing curricula requires addressing multifaceted issues.
• Educational strategies are available for teaching CAT at all nursing education levels.
• Nurse educators can be guided by presented standards and examples for successful implementation.