Holistic Care and Treatments Essay Assignment Paper

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Holistic Care and Treatments Essay Assignment Paper

Integrating Alternative Therapies in Palliative Care: Challenges, Ethical Issues, Teaching Plan, and Shared Roles

Introduction

In various healthcare settings, alternative therapies have become accepted as supplemental treatments to conventional medicine. Alternative therapies can be fundamental in the management and support of cancer patients receiving palliative care (Moir et al., 2015). This response addresses the challenges associated with the nurse’s role in providing alternative therapies, and discusses the integration of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) approaches in palliative care. It also explores ethical considerations, outlines vital elements for a teaching plan, and highlights the shared role of nurses and patients in developing care plans. Holistic Care and Treatments Essay Assignment Paper

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Challenges in the Nurse’s Role

One challenge in providing alternative therapies is the need for a comprehensive understanding of various therapies and their potential interactions with conventional treatments. According to Aldridge et al. (2016), nurses must know the benefits, risks, and evidence base of alternative therapies to ensure patient safety. Time constraints and workload demands may limit nurses’ ability to incorporate alternative therapies into patient care.

Integrating CAM Approaches in Palliative Care

According to Baydoun et al. (2022), nurses can integrate CAM treatments into palliative care to improve patient well-being. First, nurses can work with interdisciplinary teams, including CAM practitioners, to create tailored care plans that include conventional and alternative therapy. Such collaboration fosters a more comprehensive approach to patient treatment. Second, nurses can educate patients and their families about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Making resources like trustworthy websites or books available can help patients make informed judgments regarding their treatment options.

Ethical Issues in CAM Usage

Baydoun et al. (2022) indicate that nurses might run into ethical issues when integrating CAM methods. Transparency and open communication are two issues. To ensure that patients have reasonable expectations, nurses must make patients aware of any potential drawbacks for particular alternative medicines. Respecting the patient’s autonomy is also essential. Even if a patient’s decision about CAM therapies goes against their beliefs or preferences, nurses should respect and appreciate the patient’s decision. Maintaining a helpful and nonjudgmental attitude is necessary for this. Holistic Care and Treatments Essay Assignment Paper

Elements of a Teaching Plan for Nurses

To prepare nurses to integrate CAM within palliative care, a teaching plan should include the following elements:

  1. Overview of CAM: Provide a comprehensive introduction to CAM therapies commonly used in palliative care. This may include acupuncture, massage therapy, and music therapy among others. Highlight their potential benefits and evidence base.
  2. Safety and Interactions: Educate nurses about the safety considerations and possible interactions between alternative and conventional therapies. Emphasize the importance of thorough assessment and collaboration with healthcare providers.
  3. Evidence-based Practice: Equip nurses with tools to evaluate the evidence supporting alternative therapies critically. Discuss reputable resources and research databases that can guide decision-making.
  4. Communication Skills: Train nurses in effective communication techniques to discuss alternative therapies with patients. Emphasize active listening, empathy, and the ability to address patient concerns and questions.
  5. Collaboration and Referral: Teach nurses how to collaborate with CAM practitioners when appropriate and facilitate referrals to ensure coordinated and comprehensive patient care. Holistic Care and Treatments Essay Assignment Paper

Shared Role of Nurses and Patients

Nurses and patients work together to create care plans that incorporate alternative therapies. Nurses should actively participate in patient-centered decision-making while respecting their values, beliefs, and treatment preferences. Nurses can better understand their patient’s needs, goals, and expectations by involving their patients in the process. This collaborative approach encourages patient-centered care, empowerment, and autonomy.

Conclusion

Integrating alternative therapies in palliative care challenges nurses due to knowledge gaps and workload. However, nurses can facilitate integration through collaboration, patient education, and ethical communication. A comprehensive teaching plan empowers nurses to integrate therapies effectively. Shared nurse-patient care planning promotes holistic, patient-centered palliative care. Holistic Care and Treatments Essay Assignment Paper

 

 

References

Aldridge, M. D., Hasselaar, J., Garralda, E., van der Eerden, M., Stevenson, D., McKendrick, K., Centeno, C., & Meier, D. E. (2016). Education, implementation, and policy barriers to greater integration of palliative care: A literature reviewLinks to an external site. Palliative Medicine, 30(3), 224–239. http://doi.org/10.71177/0269216315606645

Baydoun, M., Levin, G., Balneaves, L. G., Oberoi, D., Sidhu, A., & Carlson, L. E. (2022). Complementary and alternative medicine online learning intervention for oncology healthcare providers: a mixed-methods study. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 21, 15347354221079280.

Moir, C., Roberts, R., Martz, K., Perry, J., & Tivis, L. J. (2015). Communicating with patients and their families about palliative and end-of-life care: Comfort and educational needs of nurses Links to an external site. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 21(3), 109–112. http://doi.org/10.129768/ijpn.2015.21.3.109

To prepare for this Discussion: Holistic Care and Treatments Essay Assignment Paper

Review the Resources pertaining to alternative therapies.

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Select one of the following areas where alternative therapies are being used:

Cancer treatment

Cancer symptom management

End-of-life care

Palliative care

Find at least one scholarly journal article discussing alternative therapies in your chosen subtopic.

***Respond to the following:

Identify at least one challenge associated with the nurse’s role in providing alternative therapies for patient care.

Explain how the nurse might integrate the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) approaches in your chosen subtopic and discuss the ethical issues nurses may face.

What are the main elements you would include in a teaching plan for nurses on the use of CAM in your chosen subtopic?

What is the shared role of the nurse and patient in developing care plans?

Support your response with references from the professional nursing literature. Holistic Care and Treatments Essay Assignment Paper

Moir, C., Roberts, R., Martz, K., Perry, J., & Tivis, L. J. (2015). Communicating with patients and their families about palliative and end-of-life care: Comfort and educational needs of nursesLinks to an external site.. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 21(3), 109–112. http://doi.org/10.129768/ijpn.2015.21.3.109

National Cancer Institute. (2015). Complementary and alternative medicine for health professionalsLinks to an external site.. http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp

American Cancer SocietyLinks to an external site.. (n.d.). http://www.cancer.org/

The American Cancer Society’s website provides information regarding the progress of cancer research, support systems for patients with cancer, and survivor stories. Explore current research on non-invasive and alternative treatment options for cancer patients.

Hospice & Palliative Nurses AssociationLinks to an external site.. (n.d.). https://advancingexpertcare.org/

National Quality Forum. (2016a). Palliative care and end-of-life careLinks to an external site.. http://www.qualityforum.org/Topics/Palliative_Care_and_End-of-Life_Care.aspx

EthnoMed. (2016). Clinical topicsLinks to an external site.. http://ethnomed.org/clinicalThe EthnoMed site has great resources regarding cultural diversity and beliefs, patient handouts in different languages, research articles, et cetera.
Aldridge, M. D., Hasselaar, J., Garralda, E., van der Eerden, M., Stevenson, D., McKendrick, K., Centeno, C., & Meier, D. E. (2016). Education, implementation, and policy barriers to greater integration of palliative care: A literature reviewLinks to an external site.. Palliative Medicine, 30(3), 224–239. http://doi.org/10.71177/0269216315606645 Holistic Care and Treatments Essay Assignment Paper