This is one of the few things that kind of upsets and bothers me so much in the nursing world (well healthcare in general, but since im in nursing it bothers me when i see it with nurses more)
But so frequently there are so many people who recommend this alternative nonense, to seeking real medical attention, and it really just worries me.
Theres the obvious danger of interactions with real medication, but then it also promotes people to either avoid actually treating their problem. Or it takes money away from going to real healthcare, and instead ends up in the pockets of these charlatans.
In nursing school I saw it so incredibly frequently, and even in the hospital I see it somewhat often. Nurses who tell patients that eating grains causes their diabetes, or ranting about GMOs and this crap. Other nurses who are stubborn/ignorant enough to avoid getting vaccinated (flu shots!) for reasons other than legitimate medical reasons (id never expect someone with a history or guillain barre or allergies to force a shot on themselves)
If medical professionals want to do all this nonsense in their personal lives, thats their right. Its just when they bring it into the workplace and involve patients in it that it really worries me.
When its relatively harmless it doesn't bother me (ie some of the out there ideas that people may have for patients to improve their pain without drugs) fine. But when it just spreads ignorance and confuses the patient, its terrible.
Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.
I don't want to turn this into a religious debate but I personally include "prayer" into this ineffective "alternative" treatments that do nothing except provide false hope and in many cases harm patients who are gullible and choose this nonsense over science based medicine.
Prayer requires faith. If you have no faith, that's your deal...
Praying is not false hope for those who have faith to fuel it.
Try to understand.... just because you don't have same faith as someone else, that does not mean it's hopeless.?
Prayer requires faith. If you have no faith that's your deal... Praying is not false hope for those who have faith to fuel it. Try to understand.... just because you don't have same faith as someone else, that does not mean it's hopeless.ddc9c[/quote']
I admit that I do not believe faith is a good thing to have, by definition faith is believing in something without evidence, no wonder many gullible people fall for these charlatans. Faith? No thank you, as far as I'm concerned, bring credible evidence or you lost my attention.
When asked to show the evidence for their belief systems, I noticed that several posters responded from "research" from really really quacky sites. Sites that believe in ridiculous conspiracy theories, like the awful website Natural News. That blog is from a guy who claims he is a scientist but isn't.
Geez, it is sad that nurses quote from germ-theory denialists. GERM THEORY DENIALISTS! Medical research is best obtained from peer-reviewed high-quality journals, not from the Journal of the Moon Goddesses. Oh right, I forgot there is an international conspiracy that says, "big Pharma" funds the journals and has the cure for everything but won't release the information.
I am so glad to see that "Dr." Robert O. Young was finally arrested for practicing medicine without a license. He's the guy who believes in all that acid/alkaline nonsense. I was in a public library yesterday and his book was prominently displayed. Claims he has the cure for diabetes. On a daily basis I see vulnerable patients following the siren songs of these quacks and giving them a lot of their time and money. It is sad.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
It always amazes me when people argue about things that lay in the thought realm, like prayer and whether or not someone "cares". Since it's not possible for one person to know the truth and if they could it would only be through one of those bunk theories people delude themselves with like "ESP" (their view, not mine) I have to wonder why they mention it at all.
This is one of the few things that kind of upsets and bothers me so much in the nursing world (well healthcare in general, but since im in nursing it bothers me when i see it with nurses more)
But so frequently there are so many people who recommend this alternative nonense, to seeking real medical attention, and it really just worries me.
Theres the obvious danger of interactions with real medication, but then it also promotes people to either avoid actually treating their problem. Or it takes money away from going to real healthcare, and instead ends up in the pockets of these charlatans.
In nursing school I saw it so incredibly frequently, and even in the hospital I see it somewhat often. Nurses who tell patients that eating grains causes their diabetes, or ranting about GMOs and this crap. Other nurses who are stubborn/ignorant enough to avoid getting vaccinated (flu shots!) for reasons other than legitimate medical reasons (id never expect someone with a history or guillain barre or allergies to force a shot on themselves)
If medical professionals want to do all this nonsense in their personal lives, thats their right. Its just when they bring it into the workplace and involve patients in it that it really worries me.
When its relatively harmless it doesn't bother me (ie some of the out there ideas that people may have for patients to improve their pain without drugs) fine. But when it just spreads ignorance and confuses the patient, its terrible.
I definitely think there is a place for 'herbal nonsense', aka natural medicine. While I may not tell people to stop taking their meds and switch to herbal, I see nothing wrong with telling them to discuss with their doctor taking things like cinnamon capsules (anti-inflammatory properties), or melatonin instead of Ambien, etc. Granted, Melatonin is not herbal, but you get what I mean. Or what about your patients with UTI? Of course, you don't tell them to quit their antibiotics, but have you ever suggested they add cranberries or cranberry capsules to their daily regimen?
Nothing wrong with adding or replacing harsh chemical medications with natural products, WITH the collaboration of your physician, and careful monitoring.
Finally, I don't recommend any herbs, but strongly urge my patients to check with their M.D. / D.O. before taking anything to "diagnose, treat or prevent a medical condition."
We do need to talk to our patients about complimentary medicine.
Me thinks you knew your inflammatory heading to your post would summon many responses since most RNs believe and endorse or are generally OK with alternative medicine. I think you are possibly angry, sad or in need or a friend.
HappyWife77, BSN, RN
739 Posts
Prayer requires faith. If you have no faith, that's your deal...
Praying is not false hope for those who have faith to fuel it.
Try to understand.... just because you don't have same faith as someone else, that does not mean it's hopeless.?