Related Experiment Videos
Complementary herbal and alternative drugs in clinical practice
1East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA. mccabes@chartertn.net
Perspectives in Psychiatric Care
|October 19, 2002
Summary
Complementary and alternative medicine agents (CAMs) show potential for psychotherapeutic value but carry risks. Healthcare professionals require enhanced knowledge of CAMs to guide patient decisions effectively.
Area of Science:
- Integrative medicine
- Psychiatric pharmacotherapy
- Evidence-based practice
Background:
- Growing patient interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for psychiatric symptoms.
- Limited empirical data on the efficacy and safety of major CAMs with psychotherapeutic claims.
- Need for healthcare professionals to understand CAMs to provide informed patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize current empirical evidence on major CAMs used for psychotherapeutic purposes.
- To assess the purported psychotherapeutic value of various CAM agents.
- To identify knowledge gaps among healthcare professionals regarding CAMs.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of extant literature.
- Analysis of empirical data on CAMs with psychotherapeutic claims.
- Literature search for studies on efficacy, safety, and interactions of CAMs.
Main Results:
- CAMs are not risk-free, despite general perceptions of safety.
- Significant knowledge gaps exist among nurses and other health professionals concerning CAM actions, side effects, and interactions.
- Increasing use of CAMs necessitates greater professional understanding.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare professionals must expand their knowledge base on CAMs to support informed patient decision-making.
- Nurses play a crucial role in educating patients about the risks and benefits of CAMs for psychiatric symptoms.
- Further research is needed to establish the safety and efficacy profiles of commonly used CAM agents.