CAT vs. conventional medicine

[gedson]

I am currently in nursing school (first semester!) and I'm curious if and how complementary and alternative therapy actually fits into your nursing plan of care. Obviously this would vary greatly by patient but are there any nurses out there that recommend CAT? If so, what specific recommendations have you made? How is the recommendation received by patients? Doctors?

Thanks for the insight!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

What is CAT? The only times I've heard that is the old timers who call CT cat scan or when talking about NCLEX computerized adaptive testing.

[gedson]

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

[Surg-OncRN]

This is a great question Gedson. I want to commend you for asking about this.

CAT is poorly understood in the medical, nursing community, because frankly they are just not educated on it. Personally, I do not like the terms alternative and complementary because it implies we should use conventional medicine and then use these therapies. Honestly, in some cases these are the therapies that need to be used first especially when it comes to chronic disease. I like to refer to the use of these therapies with conventional medicine as integrative medicine. Anyways, you almost never see CAT talked about in the hospital and the medical system does not really embrace the use of CAT. They are not set up for it and it also does not make them any money. Some patients are educated on it and I would say about half of them are open to learning about it.Getting them to apply what they have learned may be a different matter. Most doctors do not have a clue about CAM and are way too busy to take the time to incorporate the therapies. More nurses are aware of these therapies but it is still a very small percentage of nurses (maybe 5 to 10%).

I would say it is a matter of having the time to educate the patient and make sure you protect yourself from any litigation. Most patients are just like you and me but some you have to be careful with what you tell them outside of the norm. If you would like more info you can PM me or you can find my blog under my screen name and click about.

Hope this helps!

[roser13, ASN, RN]

CAT cannot and will not play a role in your nursing education. It will not play any role in your careplans as long as you are a student. After graduation and in your role as a nursing professional, your ability to practice alternative medications or treatments will be dictated by your facility's policies and procedures.

"I would say it is a matter of having the time to educate the patient and make sure you protect yourself from any litigation. Most patients are just like you and me but some you have to be careful with what you tell them outside of the norm. "

In my opinion, you are risking your employment, if not your license, by suggesting or discussing CAT with your facility's patients. Unless you are an independent practitioner (most RN's are not), you are obliged to speak/educate as a representative of your facility.

[elkpark]

Personally, I do not like the terms alternative and complementary because it implies we should use conventional medicine and then use these therapies.

Well, as the old saying goes, if it worked, it wouldn't be called "alternative medicine," it would just be called "medicine."