A review of nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and ability to communicate the risks and benefits of complementary and alternative medicine.
OBJECTIVE
This study reviewed existing literature to investigate how frequently nurses include complementary and alternative forms of medicine in their clinical practice. In so doing, we investigated nurses' knowledge of and attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine as well as their ability to communicate the risks and benefits of these therapies with patients.


BACKGROUND
Little information is available concerning nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine or how they incorporate these therapies into their practice. In addition, little is known about the ability of nurses to communicate the risks and benefits of complementary and alternative medicine to their patients.


METHODS
This study used a scoping review method to map and synthesise existing literature.


METHODS
Both electronic and manual searches were used to identify relevant studies published between January 2007 and January 2014.


METHODS
The review was conducted in five stages: (1) identification of research question(s), (2) locate studies, (3) selection of studies, (4) charting of data, and (5) collating, summarising, and reporting of results.


RESULTS
Fifteen papers met the inclusion criteria for this review, among which 53·7% referenced how frequently nurses include complementary and alternative medicine in their practice. We found that 66·4% of nurses had positive attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine; however, 77·4% did not possess a comprehensive understanding of the associated risks and benefits. In addition, nearly half of the respondents (47·3-67·7%) reported feeling uncomfortable discussing complementary and alternative medicine therapies with their patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The lack of knowledge about complementary and alternative medicine among nurses is a cause for concern, particularly in light of its widespread application.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings from this study suggest that health care professionals need to promote evidence informed decision-making in complementary and alternative medicine practice and be knowledgeable enough to discuss complementary and alternative medicine therapies. Without involvement of complementary and alternative medicine communication on the part of our profession, we may put our patients at risk of uninformed and without medical guidance.
School of Nursing, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Hsiao-Yun
HY
Chang
Division of Thoracic Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Huai-Lu
HL
Chang
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans
complementary and alternative medicine; nurses; review