Complementary therapies: what are the ethics challenges for Kansas nurses?

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Integrative Medicine
• Complementary Therapies

Background:

• Complementary Therapies and Integrative Medicine (CT/IM) are increasingly integrated into patient self-care.
• Nurses are frontline healthcare providers and a primary source of patient information.
• The trend of CT/IM in patient self-care is expected to continue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the growing importance of CT/IM in healthcare.
• To emphasize the need for nurses to understand CT/IM modalities, their uses, and contraindications.
• To encourage nurses to make informed decisions about incorporating CT/IM into their practice.

Main Methods:

• This article is a review and discussion of the role of CT/IM in nursing.
• It synthesizes current trends and their implications for nursing practice.
• Key takeaways are presented to guide nurses' understanding and decision-making.

Main Results:

• CT/IM modalities are established and will continue to be part of healthcare.
• Patients utilize diverse CT/IM options to enhance treatment and quality of life.
• Nurses require continuous learning to advocate for patients regarding CT/IM.

Conclusions:

• Nurses play a crucial role in the present and future of CT/IM.
• Opportunities exist for nurses to expand their scope of practice to include CT/IM.
• Ethical nursing practice necessitates staying current with CT/IM advancements and patient needs.