First Advisor

Stoeckel, Pamella

Second Advisor

Cullen, Patricia

College

Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

School

Loretto Heights School of Nursing

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Number of Pages

81 pages

Abstract

Americans use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities to treat and prevent disease and to enhance quality of life. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are in a unique position to use CAM in patient care and educate patients about potential benefits and risks. NPs need more information to effectively use CAM as treatment for weight loss. To address this need an educational intervention was developed. A qualitative key informant study was conducted to determine NP students’ perceptions of using CAM following an education intervention on CAM. A purposive sample of NP students from a university pharmacology class was study participants. The nurse researcher conducted a 45-minute educational intervention then administered open ended surveys to determine students’ perceptions. The survey responses were compiled and coded for themes using constant comparative analysis. Three major themes with subthemes emerged from the surveys. The major themes were: Wide Range of Exposure to CAM, Skepticism of CAM Effectiveness, and Obese Patients and CAM. Findings revealed the willingness of NP students to use CAM in practice for weight loss but that there was skepticism about the effectiveness of CAM therapies.

Date of Award

Spring 2016

Location (Creation)

Colorado (state); Denver (county); Denver (inhabited place)

Rights Statement

All content in this Collection is owned by and subject to the exclusive control of Regis University and the authors of the materials. It is available only for research purposes and may not be used in violation of copyright laws or for unlawful purposes. The materials may not be downloaded in whole or in part without permission of the copyright holder or as otherwise authorized in the “fair use” standards of the U.S. copyright laws and regulations.

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