Integrative therapies: a new paradigm for emergency nursing

A Model for Implementing Integrative Practice in Health Care Agencies

Over the last few years, there has been increased awareness and use of complementary/alternative therapies (CAM) in many countries without the health care infrastructure to support it. The National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine referred to the combining of mainstream medical therapies and CAM as integrative medicine. The creation of integrative health care teams will definitely result in redefining roles, but more importantly in a change in how services are delivered. The purpose of this paper is to describe a model of the necessary health care agency resources to support an integrative practice model. A logic model is used to depict the findings of a review of current evidence. Logic models are designed to show relationships between the goals of a program or initiative, the resources to achieve desired outputs and the activities that lead to outcomes. The four major resource categories necessary for implementing integrative care are within the domains of a) professional and research development, b) health human resource planning, c) regulation and legislation and d) practice and management in clinical areas. It was concluded that the system outcomes from activities within these resource categories should lead to freedom of choice in health care; a culturally sensitive health care system and a broader spectrum of services for achieving public health goals.

Development and evaluation of an inpatient [correction of impatient] holistic nursing care services department

This paper describes the development and evaluation of a holistic nursing department at a 261-bed conventional, community hospital. Through the holistic nursing department, a nurse visits hospitalized inpatients. The visit might include complementary and alternative modalities (CAM) therapies, such as relaxation techniques, therapeutic touch, aromatherapy, and therapeutic suggestion. Evaluation of visits occurred through a retrospective chart review and patient satisfaction surveys. Main outcome measures were patient satisfaction, physiological changes, and pre- and post-distress scores. Discomfort and distress was decreased and patient satisfaction high when CAM therapies were used in conjunction with traditional inpatient medical and nursing care.

Complementary therapy practice: defining the role of advanced nurse practitioners

The purpose of the study was to identify the current and perceived clinical role functions of advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) within the complementary health paradigm and their learning needs. Participants were asked to identify their referral practices to complementary practitioners, current and perceived clinical activities with respect to six most popular complementary therapies, learning needs and concerns regarding their use. A random sample of 389 ANPs registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario participated in a mailed survey using a modified Dillman approach, an established method for improving response rate through repeated mailings. An overall response rate of 55.3% (215 out of 389 eligible participants) was achieved. The results show that ANPs are currently engaged in clinical activities involving these therapies, with a trend towards more participation in assessing the need for them and counselling on the risks and benefits. ANPs are interested in validating the use of these therapies and acquiring more knowledge on the scientific principles, evidence of efficacy, pharmacology and potential interactions with conventional medicine.

Developing an integrated baccalaureate nursing education program infusing complementary/alternative therapies into critical care curricula

Education of students within the holistic perspective of nursing should take place in an integrated curriculum that deliberately includes complementary and alternative therapies (CAT) content. A curricular model from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing outlining core CAT competencies and nursing-specific subcompetencies are presented as one planned method for integrating CAT content throughout a nursing curriculum, including an undergraduate critical care course. Suggestions for managing common patient symptoms in the critical care setting with selected CAT interventions and the importance of safely and effectively incorporating CAT into one's practice, including appropriate patient referral, are outlined. The significance of novice nurses learning life-long self-care practices as part of the curriculum is addressed.

The nature of touch therapy related to Ki: practitioners' perspective

Touch therapy related to Ki, a type of healing touch, has been regarded as one of the distinct therapeutic modalities in traditional oriental medicine. The present study attempted to develop a substantive theory about helping patients using touch therapy related to Ki, by exploring the views of practitioners who are using this therapeutic modality within the context of the Korean society. A grounded theory approach was applied during the collection and analyses of data. The core category, main categories and trajectory of helping patients during the use of touch therapy related to Ki was delineated. Helping patients while using touch therapy related to Ki was found to be a dynamic process with each participant actively engaged in increasing the activating, potential power of the human being. These findings have value in understanding the embedded meaning of the healing process through touch therapy within the context of Ki.

Meaning of Ki Related to Touch in Caring

In an attempt to identify the concept of Ki related to touch within the context of caring, and further, to provide specific information that may lead to culturally sensitive nursing intervention for the population who relate the concept of Ki to touch in a caring situation, a qualitative analysis was planned and carried out. Data was collected using interactive interviews with 19 health care professionals, 4 alternative therapists, 10 inpatients, and 13 healthy adults, and analyzed by the latent content analysis. Ki, the interactive energy flow, and touch, the activator of Ki flow, were postulated from six categories of perceived meanings of Ki related to touch.

Healing practices: trends, challenges, and opportunities for nurses in acute and critical care

Florence Nightingale espoused a very holistic orientation in nursing. It was her belief that nursing should put the patient in the best possible condition for nature to restore or preserve health, to prevent or cure disease or injury. In other words, nurses should create environments in which healing can happen. Complementary therapies and healing practices offer nurses and patients an expanded array of options to improve health and healing. This article provides an overview of complementary therapies and healing practices and offers suggestions on how to incorporate these therapies when caring for critically ill patients.