Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) can be defined as medical practices that fall beyond conventional biomedical definition. Studies have indicated a growing use of CAM as a supplement to conventional therapeutic medicine. Some examples of CAM practice use today include chiropractic, homeopathy and acupuncture, naturopathic, massage therapy, midwifery and Asian Medicine, not forgetting yoga. A report by IOM places 30% of all Americans as using some form of CAM to supplement conventional biomedical treatment.
Holistic nurse impact in IOM’s patient-centered care
According to the American Holistic Nurses’ Association, holistic nursing objective is to heal the whole person using integrative approach. A holistic nurse, therefore, bridges the gap between the CAM and conventional medicine through patient-centered care and empowerment ( Fan, 2014 ). In addition to focusing on the physical influences of health, the nurse will addresses non-physical aspects of health and their effect in physical health specific to each patient’s conditions, needs, and lifestyle. Hence, the nurse ensures a continuous healing process, accounting for all patient-specific health-influencing factors of the body, mind, and spirit.
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Holistic nursing role in the challenging future of Nursing
Holistic nursing will be instrumental in providing care in the future, as trends in patient care predict a gradual shift to integrative approach to therapy ( Fan, 2014 ). In that sense, many care organizations will be established that use the integrative approach, propelling CAM further into the mainstream health care. It will be imperative that holistic nursing takes over the leadership role of piloting integrativecare toenhance realization of full benefits. In essence, holistic nursing will provide the deep nurse-patient relationship that is fundamental for CAM to work in both curative and preventive health practice ( Fan, 2014) .
Conclusion
While advances in CAM provide hope for the future of integrative care, some challenges persist. The complex and variably multi-faceted aspects of CAM and integrative medicine require evidence-based innovative research to provide well-designed approaches. However, the existing biomedical models are limiting in this approach. Further, holistic practices need plausible scientific, historical and theoretical evidence. Also, there is limited comparative clinical reach crucialfor addressing long-term and perpetual conditions. Finally, limited public education regarding CAM may discourage implementation. It is recommended that these challenges be addressed to ensure proper implementation of CAM and holistic nursing practices.
Reference
Fan, D. M. (2014). Holistic integrative medicine. Am J Digest Dis , 1 (1), 22-36.
