Italian oncology nurses’ knowledge of complementary and alternative therapies: national survey

Abstract

The fact that nurses are responding to demands for these therapies without a solid knowledge base makes it imperative that the nursing curriculum be expanded to include these topics.

Acceptance of Complementary and Alternative Therapy among Nurses: A Q-methodological Study

“…However, since there are few programs about CATs within colleges of nursing, the nurse must rely on their own experiences [19]. Notably, around 60.6% of cancer nurses recognize the need for CATs education, and 71.6% of patients appear to be already using CATs in conjunction with other treatments, which indicates the need for the inclusion of CATs in nursing education programs [20]. It would also be necessary to incorporate the major aspects of CATs into nursing curricula that have clinical value [21].…”

The Role of CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine): The Different Perspectives of Patients, Oncology Professionals and CAM Practitioners

“…In particular, for the most part, there is consistency regarding oncology professionals' response to and support for relaxation/psychological therapies (Bourgeault , 1996;Cindy Wang & Yates, 2006;Hessig et al, 2004;Newell & Sanson-Fisher, 2000;Risberg et al, 2004;Roberts et al, 2005;Salmenperä et al, 2003;Tovey & Broom, 2007) versus their response to and concerns regarding biologically based therapies (Bourgeault, 1996;Cindy Wang & Yates, 2006;Hyodo et al, 2003;Newell & Sanson-Fisher, 2000;Salmenperä et al, 2003). However, in a more recent study (Zanini et al, 2008), approximately one fifth of oncology nurses were interested in attending training courses about TCM while almost one third were interested in training courses on homeopathy. Those interested in attending courses on progressive relaxation and massage was approaching 50% (Zanini et al, 2008).…”

“…However, in a more recent study (Zanini et al, 2008), approximately one fifth of oncology nurses were interested in attending training courses about TCM while almost one third were interested in training courses on homeopathy. Those interested in attending courses on progressive relaxation and massage was approaching 50% (Zanini et al, 2008). According to Fitch et al, (1999), without exception, oncology nurses endorsed the notion that patients have a right to information, that information is essential for decision-making and that ultimately decisions concerning health are up to the individual.…”

Therapeutic Massage for Management of Cancer Related Symptoms: The Role of Oncology Nurses

“…Nursing students and clinical nurses are expressing more interest in learning about TM. Forty three percent of oncology nurses in Italy identified TM as an area of interest [22] and 50 percent of oncology nurses in Pakistan, are knowledgeable about this therapy [23]. More than 50 percent of nursing students in Turkey described their knowledge of massage from moderate to high and said they consider TM a beneficial intervention for patients [24].…”