Explore the Status of Communication Between Nursing Staff and Patients on Complementary Therapy Issues

Abstract

This study investigates the state of communication between nursing staff and patients concerning complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a university hospital in Taiwan. The study employed a validated cross-sectional survey to gather data from 90 nurses in the internal medicine ward. The results indicate a notable need for more initiation and documentation of CAM discussions by nurses, with less than a quarter recording patients’ CAM usage. Barriers such as limited time, access to evidence-based information, and workplace culture were identified as significant obstacles. Additionally, nurse characteristics like age, experience, and seniority also played a role in the extent of CAM communication. The study underscores the urgent need for health care institutions to prioritize CAM communication as a vital component of patient-centered care. It suggests the development of strategies to facilitate proactive discussions and referrals.