Publication Date
1998
Degree Type
Master's Project
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Coleen Saylor
Abstract
The use of alternative therapies in the United States is becoming more and more prevalent. One out of three Americans use alternative therapies and the failure to report the use of alternative therapies could affect the client's health. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which clients use and report their use of alternative therapies to their medical care provider, as well as identifying barriers to reporting. A sample (N= 50) was selected randomly from a phone book. Of those 34 (68%) who used alternative therapies, 64% (n=32) reported use of alternative therapies while receiving medical care within the last year. Only 18 (56%) of those using alternative therapies reported the use to their medical provider. Although these figures are higher than national surveys, clients continue to perceive barriers to discussing the use of alternative therapies with their medical providers. This study found that those who perceived no barriers were more likely to discuss specific details regarding their use of alternative therapies to their medical care providers. Recommendations are made for incorporating information about reporting alternative therapies into routine assessments of all clients.
Recommended Citation
Butterfield, Nektarios, "Are We asking the Right Questions? An Evaluation of Client Reportability to Medical Providers Concerning Concurrent Use of Alternative Therapies" (1998). Master's Projects. 839.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.qvjq-d8xe
https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_projects/839
