Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Rural Communities: Current Research and Future Directions

Abstract

Evidence from recent research illustrates the substantial prevalence and complexity of CAM use in rural regions. A number of potential gaps in our understanding of CAM use and practice in rural settings are also identified.

Traditional, complementary and alternative medicine use in a community population in Lao PDR

“…This study found that TCAM utilization was higher in rural than in urban communities, which is in agreement with previous studies (e.g., Stickley et al, 2013). This finding may be explained by poorer access to and poorer quality of conventional health care services in rural areas (Wardle et al, 2012).…”

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Cancer Patients in Rural Australia

“…[13][14][15] The questionnaire asked patients to indicate CAM that they were currently or had previously used from a list commonly used by cancer patients. 26,31,32 The questionnaire had a particular focus on biologically based therapies that have the potential to influence the efficacy of conventional cancer treatments, but also included mind and body based practices commonly reported in the literature.…”

“…18 In addition, limited access to social and health care services may lead rural patients to develop attributes such as resilience, stoicism, independence, and self-reliance, which may shape health seeking behavior and lead to self-management of disease including self-prescription of CAM. 14,19 A study investigating naturopaths' perspectives on the demand for their services in the Darling Downs area also highlighted longer consultation times and a preference toward "local" rather than "foreign" health practitioners as drivers for CAM use in rural areas. 19 Research in rural New South Wales found a similar pattern of distribution of general practitioners and CAM practitioners, which may suggest a proactive approach to seeking CAM by rural patients as opposed to a deferral to CAM when conventional services are not available.…”

“…16 Suggested reasons for high CAM consumption in rural communities include lower availability and dissatisfaction with conventional health care services, as well as an increased interaction between CAM and conventional providers. 14 One study found that 53% of CAM users at a rural health screening clinic had sourced their information from a doctor or pharmacist. 17 Another study found approximately one quarter of rural general practitioners (GPs) referred to a chiropractor or osteopath at least once a month and 10.4% of GPs had performed manipulative therapies during the past month.…”

Nursing Students' Attitude towards Complementary and Alternative Therapies and Their Curriculum Expectations Regarding It

“…무엇보다 간호사가 보완대체요법에 대한 지식을 가지 고 있을 때 그 부작용에 대해 좀 더 적극적으로 대처하고 대 상자를 간호할 수 있으며, 의료진과 대상자 간 의사소통의 매 개역할도 할 수 있다 (Moore, 2010). 나아가 보완대체요법에 대한 지식은 '통합된' 건강관리 체계의 계획과 개발에 유용하 기 때문이다 (Wardle et al, 2010). Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify attitudes of nursing students in terms of complementary and alternative therapies and to find out what curriculums they prefer.…”