Purpose: The purpose of this cross-sectional evidence-based research study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of nurse educators, nursing students, and licensed nurses regarding complementary alternative medicine. The goal of this study was to provide baseline information to integrate CAM at the novice student nurse level to carry out, through modeling and role-modeling, as a practicing licensed nurse providing patients with alternatives to conventional medicine therapies (Alligood, 2014).
The specific aims were: (1) to assess the knowledge and attitudes of nurse educators, nursing students and licensed nurses regarding CAM, and (2) to determine if there is a difference between the 3-groups level of knowledge and attitudes regarding CAM ([a] nurse educator and nursing student, [b] nursing student and licensed nurse, and [c] nurse educator and licensed nurse]).
Methods: This study utilized a convenience sample of participants [n = 180] meeting the subgroup criteria (nurse educators [n = 37], practicing nurses [n = 57], and nursing students [n = 86]). Participants provided self-reported quantitative data responses to demographics and CAM Health Belief Questionnaire (10-item) online via Qualtrics. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated for internal consistency in this nursing population yielding a = 0.85 (Lie & Boker, 2004).
Results: The majority of the participants were female (168, 93%) consistent with the current nursing workforce. The median total score for all participants on the CAM Health Belief Questionnaire was M = 54.3 with scores ranging from 19-70 on a scale of 10-70. The higher score depicts higher levels of knowledge and positive attitude towards CAM. There was a significant difference between the three groups [M = X2(2, n = 180) = 8.36, p = 0.015]. Two group comparisons for statistical difference was analyzed revealing no statistical difference between nurse educators and licensed nurses. However, there were significant differences found between nurse educators and nursing students (p = 0.019) and nursing students and licensed nurses (p = 0.009). Descriptive and non-parametric statistics were calculated using IBM-SPSS® 24.
Conclusion: The results represent a baseline level of the knowledge and attitudes of these nurses regarding CAM and reveal its utilization in practice. Interestingly, 35% of the participants could not recall any education regarding CAM with only 10% being opposed to using CAM in their nursing practice. Most participants strongly hold the belief that CAM is not a threat to the public (56%) and should be incorporated into the patient care process to the extent of the patient’s expectations (76%). The results may be significant in determining the differences (knowledge and attitudes) between nursing curriculum and integration of CAM into practice. Further studies to validate and advance these results are recommended.