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Friday, April 4, 2014
The purpose of this quantitative descriptive study was to explore the perceptions of DNP administrators regarding the extent acupuncture and acupressure are addressed in DNP curricula.
Five research questions were addressed:
1. What are the perspectives of DNP program administrators regarding acupuncture and acupressure?
2. What are the professional perceptions of DNP administrators regarding integrating acupuncture and acupressure into their practice?
3. What are the perceived barriers to using acupuncture and acupressure?
4. To what extent do DNP program administrators perceive that acupuncture and acupressure are integrated into their DNP curricula (BSN and/or Master’s)?
5. To what extent do DNP program administrators desire that their DNP programs integrate acupuncture and acupressure?
DNP program administrators of 158 DNP programs in the United Stateswere invited to participate in the study. Fifty-five DNP administrators from both private and public institutions from all regions of the United States responded to a web based survey.
Most respondents regarded both acupuncture and acupressure as " moderately effective" and supported the integration of these modalities into conventional medical care. Respondents hoped to have acupuncture and acupressure available to patients in their practice. About half of the respondents aspired to receive the education they would need to advise patients about acupuncture and acupressure. Approximately ten percent
would like to be educated to provide acupuncture and acupressure.
Barriers to the use of acupuncture and acupressure included:
(a) lack of staff trained in acupuncture and acupressure,
(b) lack of reimbursement for acupuncture and acupressure,
(c) unavailability of credentialed providers of acupuncture and acupressure,
(d) institutional concerns about legal issues related to acupuncture and acupressure, and
(e) lack of evidence for the practice of acupressure and acupuncture.
About half of respondents believed that acupuncture and acupressure should be integrated into their DNP curriculum. However, at present, only 10 respondents integrated acupuncture into their DNP curricula and only 11 incorporated acupressure.