Complementary and alternative medicine and rheumatology nurses: A survey of current use and perceptions

A questionnaire-based survey of rheumatology nurses was undertaken to investigate the use, and perceptions, of the effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in the management of patients with rheumatic diseases (RD). A total of 192 rheumatology nurses (response rate 76.2%) completed the questionnaire, which included sections on qualifications and clinical experience, perceptions of, training in, and use of CAM in the management of RD patients. CAM was provided by 8.3% of respondents, principally aromatherapy, massage and reflexology. Furthermore, over half of respondents (51.6%) provided advice to patients about CAM, primarily to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Perceptions of the benefits of CAM are overwhelmingly positive: 89.8% of respondents considered it to have a role in the NHS. Current barriers to wider use of CAM include budgetary constraints in the health service, limited availability of published evidence, and the current lack of a clear and adequate regulatory framework for its practice.