{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Health professionals' attitudes towards acupuncture/acupressure for post-operative nausea and vomiting: a survey and implications for implementation.
{Author}: Zheng Z;Stelmach WS;Ma J;Briedis J;Hau R;Tacey M;Atme J;Bourne D;Crabbe J;Fletcher C;Howat P;Layton J;Xue CC;
{Journal}: Acupunct Med
{Volume}: 41
{Issue}: 1
{Year}: 02 2023
{Factor}: 1.976
{DOI}: 10.1177/09645284221085282
{Abstract}: Level 1 evidence supports the use of acupuncture/acupressure (A/A) to manage post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This study aimed to survey healthcare professionals' attitudes towards A/A, influencing factors and barriers to implementing this effective non-drug intervention into peri-operative care.<BR>A validated, anonymous survey with 43 questions was emailed or distributed as a hard copy at meetings to anaesthetists, midwives, nurses, obstetricians, gynaecologists and surgeons at a public hospital in Australia. Descriptive data were presented. Influencing factors were explored using chi-square analysis. Multinomial logistical regression was used to identify the influences of confounding factors.<BR>A total of 155 completed surveys were returned, reflecting a response rate of 32%. The majority of participants were female (69%), nurses/midwives (61%) and aged between 20 and 50 years old (76%). Eighty-three percent of respondents considered A/A 'clearly alternative' medicine or 'neither mainstream nor alternative'. Eighty-one percent would encourage patients to use acupressure for PONV if it was offered at the hospital. Previous personal use of A/A was the key factor influencing attitudes and openness to clinical use. The key barriers to implementation were perceived lack of evidence and lack of qualified providers and time.<BR>Hospital-based healthcare professionals strongly supported the evidence-based use of A/A for PONV despite considering the therapy to be non-mainstream and having limited A/A education or history of personal use, providing a positive context for an acupressure implementation study. Significant gaps in training and a desire to learn were identified.