Student nurses' use and perceptions of alternative medicine: an exploratory study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Healthcare Practices

Background:

• Growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) within healthcare.
• Understanding nursing students' perspectives on CAM is crucial for future healthcare integration.
• Previous studies indicate acceptance among graduate nurses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nursing students' reactions, usage, attitudes, and acceptance of alternative medicine.
• To assess the potential influence of nursing students' acceptance on future CAM use in healthcare.
• To identify reasons for nursing students' attitudes towards alternative therapies.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory study utilizing an open-ended questionnaire.
• Data collected from a sample of nursing students.
• Analysis of responses regarding reactions, use, attitudes, and acceptance of alternative medicine.

Main Results:

• Nursing students reported high rates of alternative medicine usage.
• A generally qualified acceptance of alternative therapies was observed.
• Findings align with previous research on graduate nurses' acceptance of CAM.

Conclusions:

• Nursing students exhibit a receptive attitude towards alternative medicine.
• This acceptance has significant implications for the future adoption of CAM in healthcare settings.
• Further research can explore strategies for integrating CAM into nursing curricula and practice.