The choice: Education in
conventional versus alternative therapies
Ultimately, the choice between
conventional or alternative therapies is at the discretion of the individual
patient, hopefully under the guidance of his or her physician. Nurse educators
everywhere, realize that registered nurses need the theory or knowledge about
both kinds of therapies, because their patients are going to be exposed to
numerous kinds of different therapies, some conventional and some alternative
in scope.
Why is there is not just one
kind of therapy? Would that not be easier? Yes, it would, but life is a bit more
complex than that.
Globally, there are many
different kinds of therapy, with varying degrees of proven effectiveness in
terms of patient treatment, health and general wellness. They are categorized
into western or eastern medicine, at least to some extent.
One westernized version of the
Hippocratic Oath, which is one of numerous interpretations of the Hippocratic
Oath, forbids western physicians from participation in any form of alternative
health therapy. At the same time, this mandate is not included in other
interpretations of the Hippocratic Oath. It makes it questionable, as to
whether alternative therapies should be taught in traditionally westernized,
nursing-oriented educational institutions.
There is the undeniable reality
of the existence of other philosophies and therapies, all around the globe.
Many of these have originated in different cultures. Historically, many of
these alternative therapies have been used for generations since the beginning
of medical history. This reality argues heavily in favor of the other side of
the coin.
Who is right?
"Primum non nocere"
is a Latin phrase that means "First, not to
harm." The phrase is sometimes recorded as "primum nil nocere".
(1)
Both the physician and the
registered nurse normally follow this guideline in terms of health care.
Perhaps the closest
approximation in the Hippocratic Corpus is found in the writing entitled
"Epidemics": "The physician must have two special objects in
view with regard to disease, namely, "to do good or to do no harm."
(2)
What about the physician's
perspective regarding conventional versus alternative therapies?
Registered nurses work directly
with physicians. Some physicians are trained to work with purely conventional
therapies. Others use strictly alternative therapies, while there are still
other physicians all around the globe, who choose to draw from all three,
depending on the scope of their knowledge, awareness and orientation.
Because of the increasing
expansion of global horizons with respect to nursing education for registered
nurses, there is increasing interest in therapies that lie beyond the scope of
conventional theory and practice. It becomes more important that registered
nurses have increased awareness of non-conventional theory and practice.
With the Internet as a source
of knowledge for both physicians and registered nurses, it is relatively easy
to obtain information on conventional and alternative therapies, regardless of
where a registered nurse is educated or trained. Patients have access to this
information also.
The bottom line in nursing education
is to train registered nurses to be able to do what is required, without doing
any harm to the patient or ultimately, to seek to do what is good for the
patient.
Nursing education is rapidly
expanding its horizons and will continue to do so. In the meantime, the onus is
on each individual registered nurse to continually update and upgrade his or
her education, so that he or she can function in the capacity that is required.
Does this mean closing the door
to conventional therapies and opening the door to alternative therapies? No.
Knowledge or theory is the
first, essential step in nursing education. Practice remains the decision of
individual physicians and registered nurses, at least to some extent.
Life is sacred and should be
regarded as such. Each physician and registered nurse has options to explore in
terms of both conventional and alternative therapies. Knowledge is the key.
(1)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primum_non_nocere
(2) Ibid.
No comments:
Post a Comment