Complementary therapies: what are the ethics challenges for Kansas nurses?

Abstract

Nurses have an important role in CT/IM now and in the future. Their influence is great because they serve as the frontline in health care and are often the source of patient information. Since the trend of integrating CT/IM modalities into patient self-care appears to be here to stay, nurses need to understand what they are, how they are used, and what the contraindications might be. In addition, each nurse must decide his or her position on these modalities. This decision should be an educated decision that is in keeping with nursing philosophy and practice. There are several take away points about CT/IM from this article; it should be remembered that: 1. CT/IM is here to stay and can be a part of nursing practice now and in the future. 2. Patients use a variety of CT/IM modalities to augment treatment or to work toward quality of life. 3. It is important for nurses to be lifelong learners where CT/IM is concerned so that they can be a better advocate for patient's information and safety needs. 4. Opportunities exist for nurses to expand their practices to include CT/IM modalities. 5. Ethics-based nursing practice supports the need to maintain currency about CT/IM practices.