title: Nurse practitioner knowledge, use, and referral of complementary/alternative therapies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aims are to (a) describe nurse practitioners' (NPs') belief in effectiveness, knowledge, referral, and use of complementary/alternative therapies (C/ATs), (b) explore the initiation of C/AT dialogue between NPs and their patients, and (c) examine the relationships between demographic variables and NP C/AT knowledge, beliefs, use, referrals.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed-method cross-sectional online survey of licensed NPs (N = 2874) from a Midwestern state was analyzed using descriptive statistics, thematic analysis, and content analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NPs (n = 410) report the most knowledge about prayer (40%) and mind-body practices (32%). Many NPs (84%) report using vitamins for personal use and 85% refer their patients for massage/bodywork. Most (95%) believe NPs should have knowledge of the most common C/AT and 81% believe C/AT have a legitimate use in allopathic medicine. NPs' knowledge, belief, use, and referral of C/AT are significantly correlated. NPs initiate C/AT dialogue with their patients 54% of the time. Factors that impact the NP and patient C/AT dialogue include patient/family openness, nature of the health problem, NP C/AT knowledge, time, and accessibility.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Centralized C/AT sources could help expedite C/AT referrals. Implementing workplace C/AT clinics could help build knowledge, referral, personal use, and acceptance of C/AT.
authors.affiliation: Holistic Health Studies, St. Catherine University, St. Paul, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Geisler
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Corjena
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.affiliation: Holistic Health Studies, St. Catherine University, St. Paul, Minnesota.|Minnesota Center for Homeopathy, St Louis Park, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Stasia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johnson Steinhagen
authors.affiliation: St. Catherine University, 601 25th Ave. S. Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Peggy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Neubeck
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Integrative Research Center, Holistic Health Studies, St. Catherine University, St. Paul, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Alvina D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Brueggeman
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000451:nursing*; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008910:Minnesota; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM); beliefs; communication; descriptive research; healthcare collaboration; holistic; nurse practitioners