Role of complementary therapies in the understanding of primary healthcare professionals: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective To identify the understanding of the healthcare professionals in relation to the role of complementary therapies in primary health care. Method Systematic review by way of the following information sources: PubMed, CINAHL, PeriEnf, AMED, EMBASE, Web of Science, Psicoinfo and Psicodoc, using the keyword Primary Health Care alone, and associated with the following keywords: Medicinal Plants, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Anthroposophical Medicine. Results Twenty-two studies from 1986 to 2011 were included. We identified three styles of practice: conventional medicine, complementary therapies and integrative medicine. Positioning professional practices within these three styles may facilitate discussion of concepts of health care, enhancing the health care provided as a result. Conclusion The work process in primary care presents difficulties for conducting integrative and holistic health care, but this practice has been introduced over time by professionals who integrate conventional medicine and complementary therapies, concerned with the care and well-being of patients.

Pain: the impulse in the search for health by means of integrative and complementary practices

“…Some related the PICs to the individualization of care, the professional-patient relationship, selfcare, light technologies, and the patients' biopsychosocial and spiritual context. In turn, the professionals who do not have training in PICs did not describe any relationship with these practices, nor with the therapeutic and natural stimulation of the organism 21 . PICs are applicable as non-pharmacological measures using therapeutic touch, reike, herbal medicine, flower therapy, acupuncture, body therapies, meditation and relaxation practices.…”

Gestão do cuidado de um paciente com Doença de Devic na Atenção Primária à Saúde

“…In their conception of health and care, basic care physicians and nurses understand that the use of integrative practices for healthcare in Primary Care is related to an expanded understanding of health and disease, health promotion, physician-patient relationship, and self-care. For them, this technology of care is related to spiritual beliefs and practices, intuition and nutrition (16) .…”

Nature's Contributions to Human Health: A Missing Link to Primary Health Care? A Scoping Review of International Overview Reports and Scientific Evidence

“…On a population level, this literature emphasizes that although interventions of conventional medicines dominate in the western countries, three quarters of the world population rely on herbal and traditional medicine as a basis for PHC because of its affordability, accessibility, and long cultural history (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31). As traditional medicinal knowledge is disappearing, PHC has the potential to conserve and integrate this knowledge as a response to the growing demand for traditional healing, also in western countries (28,32). Further, literature regarding both "nature-based care" and "medicinal plants" underlines a reduction in consumption and costs of PHC as a result of the preventive and therapeutic potential of the presented interventions (29,(33)(34)(35)(36)(37).…”