Discussion 4: Complementary And Alternative Medicine ✓ Solved

Discussion 4: Complementary and Alternative Medicine Discu

Discuss the safety and effectiveness of alternative and complementary medicine for the treatment of specific illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. The U.S. federal government’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) is an agency with resources allocated to the research on specific health interventions and practices not within the realm of mainstream medicine. Arcangelo et al. (2017) highlights 5 domains of complementary and alternative medicine with a few examples: Alternative Medicine Systems, Mind/Body Intervention, Biologically Based Therapy, Manipulation and Body-Based Methods, and Energy Therapies. According to a recent study, Atkinson (2020) points out that despite the lack of strong evidence of efficacy, many oncology patients will use complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs).

The study highlights a number of interesting points from a patient’s perspective. Atkinson (2020) states that up to 70% of cancer patients have integrated CAMs, with 60% of those choosing to do so based on their own research. Aside from the 10% whose oncologist introduced them to CAMs, the vast majority were influenced by spouses, family members, the internet, or spiritual guidance. A number of their key reasons were that they felt the doctor only treated the disease and did not attend to their overall wellbeing. Chemotherapy has a great deal of side effects which the study’s participants noted, including nausea, depression, anxiety, and fatigue. CAMs enabled them to feel empowered in their care decisions, in addition to being affordable and accessible. Would you have any conflicts/concerns supporting a patient who chooses holistic/allopathic medicine?

As an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, I feel our duty is to provide our patients with quality, safe, evidenced-based care to achieve optimal health outcomes. When providing individualized, patient-centered care, I feel it's vital to empower our patients and truly listen to what their needs are and develop a collaborative plan of treatment. We need to take the time to establish a trusting relationship and ask questions to understand their cultures and beliefs.

According to Arcangelo et al. (2017), most patients do not voluntarily communicate their use of CAMs with their healthcare provider. This is an issue. We need to maintain open communications about the use of CAMs to ensure treatment adherence as well as the patient’s safety. While some CAMs such as touch therapy and meditation may be integrated into the patient’s treatment plan with therapeutic effects, other treatments such as the addition of certain nonregulated herbal OTC medicines may cause an adverse effect with the prescribed pharmacotherapy.

In conclusion, I think one of the unique characteristics a nurse can bring into medicine is our innate ability to treat our clients holistically. From the beginning of time, at least in my 22 years of bedside nursing, I have learned to improve the patient’s overall health of mind, body, and soul through a holistic approach. The crucial aspect is ensuring a trusting relationship and following up with your patient on treatment compliance and desired results or adverse reactions until a safe and effective plan is achieved.

Paper For Above Instructions

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has gained considerable attention not only from patients but also healthcare professionals as a viable adjunct to conventional treatments. This paper explores the safety and effectiveness of CAM, particularly in the treatment of specific illnesses, including cancer, diabetes, and hypertension.

Safety and Effectiveness of CAM

The safety of CAM practices is often called into question due to the lack of regulatory oversight in many countries, including the United States. While some approaches such as yoga, meditation, and acupuncture have established safety profiles, others like herbal therapies can pose significant risks or interact negatively with conventional medications (NCCIH, n.d.). For instance, the use of St. John’s Wort is commonly associated with serotonin syndrome when taken alongside antidepressants (Wang et al., 2019). Therefore, informing patients about possible interactions is crucial in ensuring their safety.

Effectiveness also presents a mixed landscape. A systematic review by Vickers et al. (2018) highlighted that while some CAM practices showed promising results for managing specific symptoms—such as acupuncture for chronic pain—many lacked robust evidence supporting their overall effectiveness in treating diseases such as cancer or diabetes. However, it is notable that the subjective benefits reported by patients often stem from the psychological and emotional support derived from CAM (Atkinson, 2020).

CAM in Cancer Treatment

In oncology, the intersection of CAM and conventional treatments represents a complex landscape. Approximately 70% of cancer patients utilize at least one form of CAM, mainly for symptom management, despite a lack of strong evidence supporting its efficacy (Atkinson, 2020). The most frequently employed CAM therapies by cancer patients are dietary supplements, meditation, and acupuncture. A study published in the Journal of Cancer Research describes how patients often turn to CAM due to dissatisfaction with traditional treatments’ side effects, such as nausea and fatigue from chemotherapy (Deng et al., 2015).

Given the potential risks associated with unregulated supplements, it is essential that oncologists and nurses engage in open dialogues with patients regarding their CAM use (Arcangelo et al., 2017). Utilizing a shared decision-making model can empower patients, enhancing their overall welfare and treatment adherence.

CAM in Diabetes Management

Diabetes represents another area where patients frequently seek CAM. Common practices include dietary changes, herbal remedies, and mind-body techniques. Research suggests that certain dietary supplements, such as cinnamon and alpha-lipoic acid, may have beneficial effects on glycemic control (Saedi et al., 2018). However, the variability in individual responses warrants further clinical investigation to solidify recommendations.

Patients often believe that integrating CAM can lead to improved glycemic control and overall health, finding that conventional medical advice may not address the holistic aspects of their wellbeing (NCCIH, n.d.). Therefore, a combined approach of managing diabetes through evidence-based medical treatment and support for CAM use is ideal.

CAM Approaches for Hypertension

Hypertension is another chronic condition where patients frequently explore CAM options. Techniques such as yoga, meditation, and dietary changes are common (Rainforth et al., 2007). The evidence suggests that stress reduction interventions can have a measurable effect on lowering blood pressure. For instance, a meta-analysis concluded that mindfulness meditation significantly lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure (Park et al., 2014).

Health professionals must remain proactive in discussing these complementary approaches, ensuring they do not replace necessary antihypertensive medications. Establishing trust with patients enables healthcare providers to contribute valuable insights while respecting the patient's desire for holistic care.

Ethical Considerations and Patient Engagement

Supporting patients who wish to explore CAM necessitates a nuanced understanding of ethical considerations, especially regarding informed consent and shared decision-making. Patients often feel marginalized when their beliefs and preferences surrounding CAM are dismissed (Arcangelo et al., 2017). Maintaining open communication fosters trust and allows healthcare workers to guide patients effectively.

Healthcare professionals must also actively seek information about patients' CAM utilization, as research shows that many patients do not voluntarily disclose this information (Gordon & Poon, 2017). Regular inquiries about CAM usage can facilitate integrated treatment approaches, thereby ensuring patient safety and adherence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the utilization of CAM, while promising for many patients, is fraught with concerns regarding safety and evidence-based effectiveness. Oncology, diabetes, and hypertension are key areas where patient preference significantly influences treatment decisions. Healthcare providers, especially Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, play a vital role in guiding patients through their choices, ensuring a balance between traditional and alternative approaches while addressing safety and ethical considerations.

References

• Arcangelo, P. V., Peterson, M. A., Wilbur, V., & Reinhold, A. J. (2017). Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice: A Practical Approach (4th Ed.). Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
• Atkinson, J. (2020). Complementary medicines and chemotherapy: if you can’t beat them, join them. Australian Journal of Cancer Nursing, 21(2), 8–14.
• Deng, G., et al. (2015). Complementary therapies for cancer patients: A systematic review. Journal of Cancer Research.
• Gordon, J. A., & Poon, S. (2017). Integration of CAM into healthcare: The role of the physician. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
• NCCIH. (n.d.). Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What’s in a Name?
• Park, C. L., et al. (2014). The efficacy of mindfulness meditation for the treatment of stress-related symptoms in patients with high blood pressure: A systematic review. Journal of Behavioral Medicine.
• Rainforth, M. V., et al. (2007). Stress management and hypertension: A meta-analysis. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
• Saedi, N., et al. (2018). The effect of cinnamon on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review. Journal of Diabetes Research.
• Vickers, A. J., et al. (2018). Acupuncture for chronic pain: A systematic review. Pain.
• Wang, Y., et al. (2019). St. John’s Wort: Safety and efficacy summary. Pharmacology & Therapeutics.