Nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and professional use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM): a survey at five metropolitan hospitals in Adelaide.

PURPOSE

To determine nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and professional use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) at five metropolitan hospitals in Adelaide, while also investigating the relationships between socio-demographic factors and use of CAM domains.

METHOD

Information on nurses' demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and professional use of CAM was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and non-parametric statistics.

RESULTS

Almost 50% of nurses were using CAM for patients, with mind-body interventions being the most common form of CAM domain used in practice (31.4%). While 59% of nurses were positive about CAM, more than 60% of them had very little or no knowledge of CAM. Nurses' professional use of CAM was also associated with diverse socio-demographic factors, and a positive association was found between the nurses' knowledge and their attitudes towards CAM.

CONCLUSION

Nurses have limited knowledge of CAM but remain open towards CAM use. Nurses' positive attitudes towards CAM use could be an indication that they are poised for further integration of clinically approved CAM into nursing care of patients.