Nursing has always been focused on the treatment of patients, promoting health and providing quality, effective and efficient care. Nurses often find themselves on the front lines of patient care. This fact alone allows nurses to have the unique ability to build trusting and many times lasting relationships with their patients. Nurses owe it to their patients to be up to date with the latest available treatments whether it be traditional medical treatments or alternative treatment modalities, also known as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).
Alternative medicine encompasses a variety of different treatment modalities. Traditionally these treatments have not been widely accepted in the United States. CAM is a relatively new concept …show more content…
Most nurses have come to realize that treating the patient as a whole is much more effective and can have life changing results for not only the patients but even for their family members and support systems.
Mental Health and substance abuse has reached a level of crisis in the US. Even though mental health and substance abuse affect thousands of adults and adolescents in the US, there are limited resources available for treatment. Inpatient treatment facilities cannot keep up with the demand for beds needed to continually and effectively treat these patients. Treatment options are limited. Many of these patients are treated on an outpatient basis. CAM practitioners are finding success with treating patients suffering from mental illness and substance abuse. Studies show that there is a direct perception of improvement with their conditions in patients treated with CAM modalities. In a recent survey of 31,044 patients suffering with heath related issues, 36% admitted to using CAM treatment for treatment (Helms, …show more content…
Many of these teens and adolescents are suffering from behavioral issues which can be caused from mental illness and substance abuse. In recent years there has been an increased focus in treating troubled adolescents using CAM modalities. Not only are the practitioners finding success with meditation, guided imagery and support groups, they’re finding that using pet therapy and environmental or wilderness therapies. These therapies prove to be more effective than the traditional formal or office treatments. CAM practitioners are finding much success with pet and wilderness therapies in that the focus for the treatment is shifted from the patient. The adolescents are able to share their feelings and find more trust with the counselors as they’re caring for a pet or working on a shared outdoors activity. The rationale for the success of these types of CAM treatments for young adults suffering from mental illness and behavioral issues is due to the fact the they do not feel like they’re being “treated”. The pet and wilderness therapy takes the mental focus from the patient to the task at hand and allows for a more trusting relationship (Hill, 2007). Mental health practitioners as primary practitioners are in demand. The CAM practitioners are able to work with patients suffering from mental illness and addiction with success. They’re able to effectively treat patients and at a decreased cost for
Alternative medicine encompasses a variety of different treatment modalities. Traditionally these treatments have not been widely accepted in the United States. CAM is a relatively new concept …show more content…
Most nurses have come to realize that treating the patient as a whole is much more effective and can have life changing results for not only the patients but even for their family members and support systems.
Mental Health and substance abuse has reached a level of crisis in the US. Even though mental health and substance abuse affect thousands of adults and adolescents in the US, there are limited resources available for treatment. Inpatient treatment facilities cannot keep up with the demand for beds needed to continually and effectively treat these patients. Treatment options are limited. Many of these patients are treated on an outpatient basis. CAM practitioners are finding success with treating patients suffering from mental illness and substance abuse. Studies show that there is a direct perception of improvement with their conditions in patients treated with CAM modalities. In a recent survey of 31,044 patients suffering with heath related issues, 36% admitted to using CAM treatment for treatment (Helms, …show more content…
Many of these teens and adolescents are suffering from behavioral issues which can be caused from mental illness and substance abuse. In recent years there has been an increased focus in treating troubled adolescents using CAM modalities. Not only are the practitioners finding success with meditation, guided imagery and support groups, they’re finding that using pet therapy and environmental or wilderness therapies. These therapies prove to be more effective than the traditional formal or office treatments. CAM practitioners are finding much success with pet and wilderness therapies in that the focus for the treatment is shifted from the patient. The adolescents are able to share their feelings and find more trust with the counselors as they’re caring for a pet or working on a shared outdoors activity. The rationale for the success of these types of CAM treatments for young adults suffering from mental illness and behavioral issues is due to the fact the they do not feel like they’re being “treated”. The pet and wilderness therapy takes the mental focus from the patient to the task at hand and allows for a more trusting relationship (Hill, 2007). Mental health practitioners as primary practitioners are in demand. The CAM practitioners are able to work with patients suffering from mental illness and addiction with success. They’re able to effectively treat patients and at a decreased cost for