Nursing Students Attitudes and Understanding of Complementary and Alternative Therapies: An Indian Perspective

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijayalakshmi Poreddi ◽  
Suseela Thiyagarajan ◽  
Pratibha Swamy ◽  
Rama Chandra ◽  
Sailaxmi Gandhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Students ◽  
Alternative Therapies ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Therapies ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Indian Perspective ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Energetic Modalities as a Self-Care Technique to Reduce Stress in Nursing Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 366-373
Author(s):  
Deborah Kramer
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Students ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Alternative Therapies ◽  
Therapeutic Touch ◽  
Nursing Curriculum ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Clinical Experiences ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Therapies ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

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.

scholarly journals Use of complementary and alternative therapies by patients with eye diseases: a hospital-based cross-sectional study from Palestine

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dania Jaber ◽  
Rafat Abu Ghannam ◽  
Waleed Rashed ◽  
Mohammad Shehadeh ◽  
Sa’ed H. Zyoud
Keyword(s):  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Alternative Therapies ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Therapies ◽  
Source Of Information ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Abstract Background Generally, complementary and alternative therapies (CAT) are accepted methods of treatment by patients with various types of conditions. Their use is becoming especially prevalent among patients with eye problems even in developed countries. Thus, we aimed to determine the pattern of use of CAT in this patient population, to identify the patient characteristics associated with the use of CAT, and to assess the types of CAT used. Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Palestine at An-Najah National University Hospital between the time periods of October 2019 to May 2020, using questionnaire-based face to face interviews. Data were collected through convenience sampling. Patients responded to the questionnaire, which was focused on information adapted from previous research in this area, covering socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, types of CAT, source of information, and side effects on CAT use. Results A total of 86 patients were interviewed for our study. Over two thirds, 67% reported using CAT for the specific purpose of improving their eye condition, and about one third (29.1%) received more than one therapy. The most common therapies reported were duea’ (i.e. supplication) (47.1%) and herbal therapies (24.1%). It was shown that patients with bilateral involvement of their eyes were almost twice more likely to describe using CAT than patients with unilateral eye pathology (p = 0.006). Also, patients who underwent surgery as their route of treatment were significantly less likely to use CAT (p = 0.043). Most of our study participants mentioned a non-physician source as their source of information regarding CAT with family members being the most frequently mentioned (30.2%) followed by the internet (25.6%) and friends (19.8%). Conclusions The prevalence of CAT use among patients with eye disease is somewhat high in our study population. Because CAT may trigger adverse reactions, influence the progression of the disease, and interfere with conventional treatment, the ophthalmologist should frequently be asked patients with such diagnostics regarding the use of these therapies. Further work is required to analyze the mechanisms of action and to establish realistic guidelines for the use of these modalities.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document