Developing an integrative therapies in primary care program.

The authors describe the development and incorporation of an integrative therapies subspecialty curriculum into a graduate nursing education program. Specialized education in integrative therapies prepares nursing students more thoroughly for primary care practice because many patients now use what is called complementary and alternative medicine in conjunction with standard medical care. Students learn to determine the safety, efficacy, and cultural significance of complementary and alternative medicine practices of their diverse patient population.