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Nurses' attitudes towards complementary therapies: A systematic review and meta-synthesis
Helen Hall1, Matthew Leach2, Caragh Brosnan3
1Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCCIM), University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, School of Nursing & Midwifery Monash University, Frankston, Australia.
International Journal of Nursing Studies
|February 8, 2017
Summary
Nurses view complementary therapies as a way to enhance patient care and empower individuals. However, limited education and institutional barriers hinder their integration into nursing practice.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Complementary Therapies
- Qualitative Research Synthesis
Background:
- Increasing prevalence of complementary therapies necessitates understanding their implications for nursing.
- Patient safety and care quality are key considerations in the integration of these therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically appraise and synthesize qualitative research on nurses' attitudes toward complementary therapies.
- To develop a comprehensive interpretation of nurses' perspectives on patient use of complementary therapies.
Main Methods:
- A systematic search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, and AMED databases (2000-2015).
- Inclusion of reference lists and grey literature.
- Thematic synthesis process adhering to Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidelines.
Main Results:
- Fifteen qualitative studies were synthesized.
- Five key themes emerged: conventional medicine's limitations, enhancing nursing practice, patient empowerment, cultural factors, and structural enablers/barriers.
- Nurses see complementary therapies as enhancing patient-centered care.
Conclusions:
- Nurses' support for complementary therapies aims to improve care quality, not challenge conventional medicine.
- Barriers include institutional culture, clinical context, limited knowledge, and lack of professional frameworks.
- The nursing profession must address educational and structural deficiencies to support the growing use of complementary therapies.