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Midwives' personal views and beliefs about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM): A national survey
Lyndall Mollart1, Virginia Stulz2, Maralyn Foureur3
1Centre for Midwifery and Child and Family Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, City Campus, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan NSW Australia, University Dr, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
Abstract:
Complementary and Alternative Medicine/Therapies (CAM) options have increasingly been used by pregnant women, however literature describing midwives' views and beliefs towards CAM is sparse. This study aimed to investigate Australian midwives' views and beliefs about CAM.
Methods:
A national survey of Australian College of Midwives midwife members (n = 3552) (UTSHREC 2015000614) included questions on midwives' views and support of CAM, and beliefs using a validated CAM Health Belief Questionnaire (CHBQ).
Results:
The response rate was 16%. Most respondents believed women should have the right to choose CAM (93.3%); and didn't view CAM a threat to public health (91.7%). Nearly half (49.5%) believed that their hospital/service did not have guidelines/procedures on CAM. The CHBQ mean score was 45.43 (SD9.98).
Conclusion:
Most respondents agreed with the fundamental beliefs of CAM. This study confirms the need for a national CAM policy for midwives; and research on midwives' CAM training.