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Zheng Z, Stelmach WS, Ma J, Briedis J, Hau R, Tacey M, Atme J, Bourne D, Crabbe J, Fletcher C, Howat P, Layton J, Xue CC. Health professionals' attitudes towards acupuncture/acupressure for post-operative nausea and vomiting: a survey and implications for implementation. Acupunct Med 2023; 41:16-26. [PMID: 35579002 DOI: 10.1177/09645284221085282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Level 1 evidence supports the use of acupuncture/acupressure (A/A) to manage post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This study aimed to survey healthcare professionals' attitudes towards A/A, influencing factors and barriers to implementing this effective non-drug intervention into peri-operative care. METHODS A validated, anonymous survey with 43 questions was emailed or distributed as a hard copy at meetings to anaesthetists, midwives, nurses, obstetricians, gynaecologists and surgeons at a public hospital in Australia. Descriptive data were presented. Influencing factors were explored using chi-square analysis. Multinomial logistical regression was used to identify the influences of confounding factors. RESULTS A total of 155 completed surveys were returned, reflecting a response rate of 32%. The majority of participants were female (69%), nurses/midwives (61%) and aged between 20 and 50 years old (76%). Eighty-three percent of respondents considered A/A 'clearly alternative' medicine or 'neither mainstream nor alternative'. Eighty-one percent would encourage patients to use acupressure for PONV if it was offered at the hospital. Previous personal use of A/A was the key factor influencing attitudes and openness to clinical use. The key barriers to implementation were perceived lack of evidence and lack of qualified providers and time. CONCLUSION Hospital-based healthcare professionals strongly supported the evidence-based use of A/A for PONV despite considering the therapy to be non-mainstream and having limited A/A education or history of personal use, providing a positive context for an acupressure implementation study. Significant gaps in training and a desire to learn were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zheng
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Wanda S Stelmach
- Northern Hospital Epping, Northern Health, Epping, VIC, Australia
| | - Jason Ma
- Northern Hospital Epping, Northern Health, Epping, VIC, Australia
| | - Juris Briedis
- Northern Hospital Epping, Northern Health, Epping, VIC, Australia
| | - Raphael Hau
- Box Hill Hospital, Eastern Health, Box Hill, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark Tacey
- Northern Hospital Epping, Northern Health, Epping, VIC, Australia
| | - Jeannette Atme
- Northern Hospital Epping, Northern Health, Epping, VIC, Australia
| | - Debra Bourne
- Northern Hospital Epping, Northern Health, Epping, VIC, Australia
| | - Julie Crabbe
- Northern Hospital Epping, Northern Health, Epping, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Paul Howat
- Northern Hospital Epping, Northern Health, Epping, VIC, Australia
| | - Jenny Layton
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Charlie C Xue
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
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