Relationships and implications for complementary and alternative medicine in Aotearoa New Zealand: A discussion paper

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to initiate a discussion on contextualising the relationship between the nursing profession and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) within Aotearoa New Zealand. There is limited research and data linking complementary and alternative medicine to nursing or how this could be integrated into health care delivery. The authors’ intentions are to raise awareness of a trend within health and wellness that could have implications for the nursing profession in Aotearoa New Zealand. Existing knowledge from overseas research is discussed to raise awareness on complementary and alternative medicine knowledge and any perceptions or educational needs nurses may require when considering the utilisation of complementary and alternative medicine. A range of questions are presented aimed at highlighting areas of development and future research for nursing in Aotearoa New Zealand if complementary and alternative medicine therapies or theory are applied within mainstream health care settings. Ngā ariā matua Te kaupapa ia o tēnei tuhinga he wāhi i te kōrero kia whakatatangia mai te hononga o te umanga tapuhi ki ngā rongoā tāpiri, kaupapa tuarua hoki (CAM) i Aotearoa. He iti noa ngā rangahau me ngā raraunga e tūhono ana i ngā rongoā tāpiri, kaupapa tuarua hoki ki te ao tapuhi, me pēhea rānei e taea te tūhono ki te horanga taurimatanga hauora i Aotearoa. Te whāinga ia o ngā kaituhi he whakapiki i te māramatanga ki tētahi ia i roto i te hauora me te waiora e puta ake ai he pānga ki te umanga tapuhi i Aotearoa. Ka whakamahia ngā mōhiotanga mai i ngā rangahau i tāwāhi hei whakapiki i te māramatanga ki ngā rongoā tāpiri, kaupapa tuarua hoki, me ngā kitenga, ngā hiahia whakangungu rānei e tika ana mā te tapuhi ina whakaaro ake ki te whakamahi i ngā rongoā tāpiri, kaupapa tuarua hoki. Ka tāpaetia mai te huhua o ngā pātai hei miramira i ngā wāhanga mō te whanaketanga me ngā rangahau mō te mahi tapuhi i Aotearoa mehemea ka whakamahia ngā rongoā tāpiri, kaupapa tuarua hoki i ngā horopaki hauora auraki.