scholarly journals Nursing Students' Willingness to Use Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Cancer Patients: Istanbul Survey

2007 ◽  
Vol 211 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deniz Seher Öztekin ◽  
Meral Ucuzal ◽  
Ilhan Öztekin ◽  
Halim Issever
2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 366-373
Author(s):  
Deborah Kramer

This article describes the outcomes of nursing students taking a course in complementary and alternative therapies focusing on energetic modalities that were used as a means of self-care. Students kept journal logs and did a formal presentation for the class. Nursing students reported decreased stress and improved concentration, academic performance, productivity, and problem-solving while experiencing a greater appreciation of their clinical experiences. Using Therapeutic Touch and other subtle energy interactions, the students also cited improved interpersonal relationships, increased feelings of calmness, a higher degree of self-awareness and self-care, reduced physical pain, increased energy, and greater appreciation of the world around them. The theoretical framework was Margret Neuman’s theory of health as expanding consciousness. While this is an elective nursing course, the nursing students were primarily juniors and seniors already taking clinical courses. A research study with a wide sample of student participants, especially freshmen, and using quantitative as well as qualitative measures would be beneficial to determine if such a course should be part of the standard nursing curriculum to not only expand nurses’ understanding of complementary and alternative therapies but also to help students with their own self-care and influence their practice as clinicians.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (13) ◽  
pp. 2194-2203
Author(s):  
Muthia Deliana ◽  
Dewi Elizadiani Suza ◽  
Rosina Tarigan

BACKGROUND: Proper treatment of cancer can make it easier for the healing process. Delay in patients seeking treatment is a problem that often occurs today. Handling of complementary and alternative therapies, which is not appropriate is one of the causes of delay in seeking treatment, which worsens the patient's condition. Patients usually come to health services already diagnosed with advanced cancer. AIM: The purpose of this study is to explore the experience of advanced cancer patients in seeking treatment. METHODS: This study is qualitative research with descriptive phenomenology approach. Participants in this study were 15 advanced cancer patients who were treated in the chemotherapy room at Adam Malik General Hospital Medan and Murni Teguh Hospital using purposive sampling technique. Data collection was done with in-depth interviews. All interviews were first recorded and then transcribed. This study was analysed using the Colaizzi approach method. RESULTS: The six main themes indicated that advanced-stage cancer patients for seeking treatment. Themes such as 1) choose the complementary and alternative treatment rather than medical treatment, 2) seek medical treatment as a final decision, 3) integrating complementary treatment as supportive therapy in addition to medical treatment, 4) external sources influence patient decisions, 5) reduce negative feelings by surrendering to God, and 6) lack of involvement of basic health services. CONCLUSION: Advanced cancer patients have experience using complementary and alternative therapies, which are not appropriate before using a medical treatment on the grounds of distrust of medical treatment and advice from the environment around patients. The importance of nurses in providing appropriate education related to complementary and alternative treatment to cancer patients according to the stage of the disease.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-116
Author(s):  
Ali Tafazoli

Currently, there is a progressive trend for the use of complementary and alternative therapies among cancer patients. Herbal products have a huge market in this field. Among herbal supplements which are consumed in this population, Echinacea preparations are very popular. These natural products have immune-boosting effects that can suppress tumor growth and invasion. However, there is a concern about proposing a standard formulation for this indication. Some ingredients of these herbs can even be tumor promoting. Therefore, a meticulous investigation on this issue would be highly valuable before making a recommendation or prohibition about Echinacea products for cancer patients.


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