Nursing Students’ Perception, Experience and Attitude on Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to provide a basic resource for developing nursing interventions and educational programs for complementary and alternative therapies (CAT) by examining nursing students' perception, experience, and attitudes toward CAT. Methods: Data were collected targeting 230 nursing students from October 20 to November 10, 2014, and analyzed by using descriptive statistics, t-test, -test, and ANOVA with SPSS/WIN 18.0. Results: Results showed that CAT were performed by CAT specialists in combination with hospital treatments for individuals suffering from chronic pain and musculoskeletal diseases. Nursing students obtained information on and experience of CAT through the Internet. CAT were used for psychological and mental stability as a supplementary treatment. The majority of the participants used Yoga followed by massage as a sub-therapy of the program. They said that openness of medical staff and active communication are important for having a positive attitudes toward CAT. There are differences in attitudes toward CAT according to gender, student levels, and previous experience on CAT. Conclusion: It is crucial for nursing students to have right perception, experience, and attitudes toward CAT in order to apply CAT to the clinical field.