Alternative Medicine and Practices in Nursing

Alternative Medicine and Practices in Nursing

Introduction

A paradigm shift is occurring within our society wherein a growing number of people are adopting an expanded view of health which embraces a holistic perspectives rather than a purely allopathic one. As a result, we are seeking and using a variety of complementary and alternative healing modalities. In an effort to promote primary health care the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended in 1978 that traditional (alternative) medicine be promoted, developed and integrated wherever possible with modern, scientific medicine, stressing the necessity to ensure respect, recognition and collaboration among the practitioners of the various systems concerned.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has received an enormous amount of attention around the world over the past decade. Nurses need to be well informed about various CAM modalities that clients might be using because of the increased interest in CAM.