Positive Health Online

Abstract

RANKIN-BOX, De Montfort University, Cheshire UK writes that due to increased interest among the general public and health professionals, there appears to be an assumption that the use within the health care setting of complementary therapies such as massage, homoeopathy, aromatherapy, reflexology and acupuncture is widespread . To date, however there have been no national research studies conducted to validate this assumption. The author conducted an informal survey to assess nurses' use of complementary therapies .

Background

Methodology

The study attempted to identify the range of practices and the extent of their use by nurses who are members of the Royal College of Nursing Complementary Therapy Forum (RCNCTF) in the UK. A convenience sample was used and a semi-structured questionnaire was inserted into the group's bi-annual newsletter sent to all members of the RCNCTF (n = 1662). Only 178 nurses completed and returned the questionnaire, merely a 9.3% response rate, which was partially expected, given the informal nature of the survey and that it was in the form of an insert into a newsletter.

Results

The majority of respondents were aged between 41-50 years, contrary to expectation. The 6 main therapies practised were, in order of use): massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, relaxation, visualisation and acupuncture . The 3 most common practice areas, including both the NHS and the private sector, were: in the community, palliative care and oncology. Complementary therapies were more commonly practised in the private sector as part of formal working practices, in contrast to nurses working in the NHS, where complementary therapies formed less than 20% of their formal nursing care, and where, when used, was often in addition to their daily nursing care.

Conclusion

These results indicate that nurses are practising complementary therapies less than generally assumed . The therapies commonly practised are a broader range then those generally presented as the primary complementary therapies, namely homoeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, chiropractic and osteopathy. Because this survey was from a convenience sample focussing upon a self-selected group who were members of the RCNCTF, the findings cannot be generalised . However there is a need to identify the national use of complementary therapies within the health care setting.

References

Rankin-Box D. Therapies in practice: a survey assessing nurses' use of complementary therapies. Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery 3(4): 97-9. Aug 1997.