Page 115 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

82 n CoMPLEMEnTARY AnD ALTERnATIvE PRACTICES AnD PRoDUCTS

content, there appears to be not so much a and effectiveness of CAPPs permits the inves-
lack of agreement about integrating prac- tigator to analyze disparate patient care find-
C tice aspects of evidence-based CAPPs into ings and synthesize these into questions that
the curricula (Gaydos, 2001; Kligler, 1996) as will add to the body of evidence about these
there is acknowledgment of the challenges. therapies (owens et al., 1999). Findings result-
Such challenges include the need for quali- ing from research studies testing the efficacy
fied faculty, the crowded curricula content, of CAPPs will continue to lead to knowledge
a lack of defined best practices in CAPPs, that can be useful in making reliable predic-
and the postgrant sustainability of programs tions and linking appropriate therapies to
funded to integrate CAPPs into the curric- patients for promotion of health or symptom
ula (Lee et al., 2007). Addressing these chal- management (Lin & Taylor, 1998).
lenges remains core to efforts expended by The definition of what constitutes CAPPs
nIH/nCCAM to support integration of evi- will continue to evolve as researchers com-
dence-based information about CAPPs into plete rigorous scientific studies in this area. In
professional schools’ curricula (Pearson & an effort to empower consumers and encour-
Chesney, 2007; Rakel, Guerrera, Bayles, Desai, age health care professionals to stay current
& Ferrara, 2008; Yildirim et al., 2010). Such with advances in CAPPs research and clin-
curricula will need to support the education ical application, nCCAM launched a Web
of health care professionals about the science portal dedicated to a “Time to Talk” cam-
behind CAPPs, the evidence for effectiveness paign (nIH/nCCAM, 2008). Currently, this
and safety, the interactions among CAPPs site provides tips for consumers to discuss
and with other health care modalities, and use of CAPPs with their health care provid-
the pharmacology of biological agents ers and suggestions for health care providers
(nottingham, 2006). to elicit CAPPs usage information from their
The basis for research into CAPPs patients. The goal is informed health care
should not be adversarial, that is, “CAPPs that promotes safety and best care practices
versus mainstream health care modalities,” in health care settings.
but rather the scholarly inquiry into whether In addition to the need for rigorous
or not an intervention is effective, safe, and research on CAPPs, inclusion of education
contributes to the overall well-being of the about these modalities in the curricula for
consumer (nIH/nCCAM, 2010b). Rigorous health care providers and development of
research involving any of these practices and resources for consumers need to exist for
products can be across the spectrum of basic the development of competency standards
research, translational research, efficacy and measures involved in credentialing
studies, and effectiveness research. Research health care providers in CAPPs practice. of
often begins with basic questions: How does course the issues of liability will need to be
it work? How do individual differences, as addressed.
assessed by a given measurement tool, influ- Although consumers today are empow-
ence what happens or does not happen in ered to play a larger role in their health care
the use of a particular therapy for manage- outcomes, a large number of nurses and other
ment of a specified symptom? From general health care professionals still lack knowl-
questions such as these, coupled with exten- edge about CAPPs, thus creating a barrier
sive literature reviews and consultation with to integrative health care. Rigorous clinical
experts, more specific questions about the studies are needed to provide evidence of
use of these therapies in patient care evolve CAPPs treatment efficacy for many symp-
to guide investigators’ research. toms and conditions. Research monies are
Focusing on individual differences available for competitive research propos-
among patients when assessing use, efficacy, als through the nCCAM and other agencies