[Many patients are interested in receiving post-operative acupuncture]

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Patient-Reported Outcomes
• Hospital-Based Care

Background:

• Conventional medical therapies are standard for managing pain and nausea in hospitalized patients.
• Patient preferences and demand for complementary therapies like acupuncture are increasingly recognized.
• Understanding patient interest is crucial for integrating new treatment options into hospital settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the interest of Danish hospitalized patients in receiving acupuncture treatment.
• To identify patient preferences regarding the timing and integration of acupuncture with conventional therapy.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire survey was administered to 500 patients in a hospital recovery room.
• The survey collected data on patient interest in acupuncture for symptom management and preferred integration methods.

Main Results:

• 84% of surveyed patients responded to the questionnaire.
• 81% expressed interest in acupuncture for nausea and pain relief.
• Of those interested, 54% desired it before conventional therapy, and 94% as a supplement throughout their hospital stay.

Conclusions:

• A significant majority of Danish hospitalized patients are interested in acupuncture for symptom management.
• Patient preference leans towards using acupuncture as an adjunct to conventional medical treatments.
• Findings support the potential integration of acupuncture services within Danish hospitals to meet patient demand.