ED staff members’ personal use of complementary therapies and their recommendations to ED patients: A southeastern US regional survey

Abstract

Background Use of complementary and alternative therapies has increased in the United States during the past 5 years. Little is known about the use of these therapies in emergency departments. Methods The Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies, University of Virginia, surveyed staff in 10 emergency departments in the southeast region of the United States with the purpose of exploring ED practitioners’ personal use of complementary therapies and recommendations of these therapies to patients. Results ED staff reported back rub or massage, music, and prayer or spiritual practices as the 3 most frequently used complementary therapies for personal well-being. Back rub or massage and spiritual practices including prayer and group support were most frequently recommended to patients. Clinicians expressed interest in acquiring additional knowledge of complementary therapies and support for integration of these therapies in emergency departments. Conclusions Use of complementary therapies for personal well-being and for patient care by ED staff in the southeast region of the United States is limited. Most ED staff are not familiar with these therapies, but a majority of staff (70%) want to learn more about them. Findings suggest that ED nurses would like additional training in, and better referral patterns to, complementary therapies. (J Emerg Nurs 1998;24:495-9)