Nurses’ Attitudes for Supporting Complementary Medicine in Crohns Disease–A Qualitative Interview Study

¹Professor, Centre for Nutrition and Intestinal Failure, Department of Gastroenterology, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark

²Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Denmark

*Corresponding author: Mette Holst, Professor, RN, PhD, Centre for Nutrition and Bowel Disease, Department of Gastroenterology, Aalborg University Hospital and Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Denmark, Sdr. Skovvej 5.1, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark, Phone: +4527113236, ORCHID: 0000-0002-7458-9458; E-mail: [email protected].

Received Date: January 11, 2024

Published Date: January 27, 2024

Citation: Holst M, et al. (2024). Nurses’ Attitudes for Supporting Complementary Medicine in Crohns Disease–A Qualitative Interview Study. Mathews J Nurs. 6(1):38.

Copyrights: Holst M, et al. © (2024).

ABSTRACT

Aim: Barriers may obstruct - and facilitators promote the implementation of interventions with complementary medicine to support medical treatment. Based on this knowledge, the aim was to gather insight into attitudes that may positively or negatively influence nurse’s engagement in an upcoming lifestyle intervention in patients with Crohn’s disease in order to be at forefront of barriers and best promote advantages. Methods: Nurses’ attitudes were gathered to gain insight into preparations that may benefit nurses’ engagement into a future intervention with a plant-based and anti-inflammatory diet as complementary medicine in patients with Crohn’s disease. Five focus group interviews were conducted at four Danish hospitals. Data was analyzed using a hermeneutic analysis approach. Findings: The main findings of this study were that several attitudes among nurses may impact the study implementation and thus possibly influence the patients’ compliance to interventions. Lack of knowledge and evidence, pre-understanding, different attitudes between professions, lack of time, nurse-patient relationship and experience were found as barriers. Personal motivation and the nurse-patient relationship were facilitators that could have a positive effect towards the nurses’ positive support to intervention. Proposals to facilitate implementation were: early information, education, written material, taste tests and facilitating a contact person between the intervention study setting and nurses. Conclusion: The study highlights nurses' attitudes prior to implementing complementary medicine and points out the need for sound preparation, information and involvement before initiating an upcoming intervention.

Reporting Method: The study has adhered to the relevant EQUATOR guideline: Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research.

Patient or Public Contribution: The nurses involved in this study contributed with their insights through semi-structured interviews. The study contributes to the wider global clinical community by providing knowledge about what it takes for nurses to feel motivated to engage patients in complementary therapy studies and lifestyle changes.

Keywords: Dietary Interventions, Crohns Disease, Nursing, Focus Group Interviews, Complex Interventions, Barriers, Facilitators.