Award Date

1-1-2000

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Nursing

First Committee Member

Cheryl L. Bowles

Number of Pages

108

Abstract

Cancer patients use alternative therapies (ATs) frequently and often without the knowledge of their health care providers. The purpose of this study was to investigate oncology nurses' perceived knowledge of ATs, their level of assessment of the use of ATs by cancer patients, and what ATs they recommend to patients. The framework used to guide this study is the Neuman System Model. A descriptive survey design using a questionnaire listing 24 ATs was used to survey a random sample of nurses certified by the Oncology Nurses Certification Corporation in the Western region of the U.S. Results of the survey (n = 278) indicate that a majority of participants perceived their knowledge of ATs to be average or above average (69.4%), 71% assessed at least sometimes the use of ATs, and 56% recommended at least sometimes ATs to their patients. Participants were most knowledgeable about and recommended most frequently support groups, meditation/relaxation, prayer, imagery, and massage. Implications are discussed regarding the need for additional nursing education related to ATs.

Keywords

Alternative; Assessment; Knowledge; Nurses; Oncology; Perceived; Recommendation; Therapies

Controlled Subject

Nursing; Oncology; Medical sciences--Study and teaching

File Format

pdf

File Size

2897.92 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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