Complementary and alternative dietary therapies

Patients with cancer often feel that they can improve their physical condition and prognosis by altering what they eat. Their quest for nutritional information may lead them to alternative and complementary dietary therapies. Although many of thesetherapies appear to be "nontoxic" or "natural" they are often restrictive and place patients at risk for various complications and adverse events. Weitzman (1998) adds that prospective, randomized trials of alternative and complementary dietary therapies are needed, and that these nutritional therapies must be used with great caution by pediatric patients because this population is at high risk for nutritional deficiencies and diet-related complications.     

Complementary therapies and health promotion

Nurses have an important role to play in health promotions and it is important that they have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the theories of health promotion and conventional interventions. However, they are increasingly likely to be asked about the efficacy of non-conventional interventions and the likelihood of these interventions being of value to the client. This paper offers a review of the evidence to support the role of complementary therapies as adjunctive treatments to enable nurses to discuss their use with their clients as part of their health choice options.     

Complementary therapies in health care

In the past two decades, complementary therapies have grown in popularity in Western countries. The interest in complementary therapies could be explained by a "new consciousness" and the shift to a postmodern society. These therapies, embracing holistic practice, are derived from traditions of Eastern healing. There are many advantages of the complementary therapies that are playing a therapeutic role in the health care of individuals and, through the use of such therapies, nursing is developing a richness in holistic care. However, there are still barriers to be overcome; namely, the reluctance to accept complementary therapies in many contemporary healthcare settings. Through research and education, these barriers can be overcome.     

Complementary therapies. Phytotherapy

This article provides insight into the concept of phytotherapy, analyzing the generic term from a pharmaceutical viewpoint and explaining what the "totum" of a plant is. This article also mentions the role of phytotherapy over the course of medical history, what the correct criteria are for preparing a medicinal drink, bearing in mind very practical aspects for all of us, such as: the number of plants to include in a medicinal drink, the manner to prepare one, dosage, toxicity, effectiveness, time period to drink one over, etc. This article is of interest to health professionals and to all those who are drawn to the medicinal, healthy power plants possess.     

Creation of a safety culture: reducing workplace injuries in a rural hospital setting.

A newly organized employee safety program, with an 11-step design, has been introduced at Valley General Hospital in Monroe, Washington, with the intention of changing the "culture of safety." A 1-year report of the results indicates that the overall incidence of injury claims, lost-time injuries, and needlestick injuries were reduced after the program was implemented and timely reporting of claims within 24 hours was increased. The hypothesis, that by creating more visibility for the employee safety program a decrease in injury rates would occur, was confirmed.     

Complementary therapies: introduction into a nursing curriculum

With the increasing use of complementary therapies by the general population, nursing faculty are challenged to educate their students about these therapies. The authors designed a course to provide students with a broad overview of selected complementary therapies commonly used in the United States. In preparation for the course, the authors evaluated graduate nursing students' awareness, use, and practice patterns of complementary therapies in their rural state. A high percentage (82%) of those students thought it was important for healthcare professionals to understand complementary therapies. The course has been offered three times, once using an interactive video network and twice using a 5-day workshop format.     

Complementary and integrative healthcare for patients with mechanical low back pain in a U.S. hospital setting

ObjectivesComplementary and integrative healthcare (CIH) is commonly used to treat low back pain (LBP). While the use of CIH within hospitals is increasing, little is known regarding the delivery of these services within inpatient settings. We examine the patterns of CIH services among inpatients with mechanical LBP in a hospital setting.MethodsThis is a retrospective, practice-based study conducted at Abbot Northwestern hospital in Minnesota. Using electronic health record data from July 2009 to December 2012, 8095 inpatients with mechanical LBP were identified using ICD-9 codes. We classified patients by reason for hospitalization. We examined demographic and clinical characteristics by receipt of CIH services. Then, we estimated the prevalence of types of CIH delivered and clinical foci for CIH visits among inpatients with mechanical LBP.ResultsMost inpatients with mechanical LBP (>90%) were hospitalized for surgical procedures. Overall, 14.2% received inpatient CIH services. All demographic and clinical characteristics differed by receipt of CIH (P < 0.001), except race/ethnicity. CIH recipients were in poorer health than those who did not. Most commonly delivered CIH services were massage (62.1%), relaxation techniques (42.0%) and acupuncture (25.7%). Pain (45.1%), relaxation (17.5%), and comfort (8.2%) were the top three reasons for CIH visits.ConclusionThere are important differences between CIH recipients and non-CIH recipients among patients with mechanical LBP within a hospital setting. The reasons documented for CIH visits included addressing physical, emotional and/or mental conditions of patients. Future studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of CIH services health and wellbeing outcomes in this population.     

Complementary and alternative therapies in occupational health. Part II--Specific therapies.

Dossey (2001) says, "The nurse serves as a facilitator and helps assist the patient and his or her significant others to be in the best state for healing to take place. Nurses are in a unique position to be instruments of healing at all times." According to Fitch (1999), "A fundamental goal of nursing is to comfort." Complementary and alternative therapies offer many self care and comforting remedies help employees prevent disease and promote healing. Occupational health nurses have the ability to educate employees and offer guidance about CAM therapies; encourage self care management of minor complaints; and encourage employees, when appropriate, to seek health care. As employees' use of CAM continues to increase, occupational health nurses need to monitor use of CAM therapies among employees. Nurses should inform the employer, case managers, and insurance companies involved about the potential increase in CAM use to promote changes in the health care system and integrate conventional and CAM therapies as needed. Further research related to CAM therapies continues as the health care system warrants safe, effective, and cost effective ways to promote health and prevent or manage illness.