Swedish Surgeons Interested In Complementary Therapy

Sharon Moore December 07, 2012

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A national survey reveals that for the first time, majority of surgical doctors in Sweden are interested to learn more about Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

The study, which took place between 2010 and 2011, was carried out by the researchers from Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. Their report was published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

CAM in Sweden

The use of complementary medicine in healthcare centres and hospitals across the world has greatly increased in the past years, particularly in the Western countries. Studies reveal that patients commonly employ CAM therapies before and after surgery to relieve pain and speed up their recovery.

The most common CAM therapy in Sweden is massage. It is followed by natural remedies like herbs, chiropractic and acupuncture. There is no coherent policy in existence about CAM use but studies suggest Sweden is getting close to it. In 1984, The National Board of Health and Welfare approved the use of acupuncture as a pain relief method while chiropractic treatments were approved in 1999.

Doctors show interest in CAM

Researchers asked the healthcare providers who participated in the study to explain what they understand about the terms complementary, alternative and integrative methods. For complementary therapies, the participants mentioned yoga, acupuncture, manual therapies and massage. For alternative methods, they cite delineated herbals, supplements, homeopathy and healing. None of them were able to provide examples or definition for integrative method.

96% of the respondents admitted to have very little understanding or any knowledge at all about CAM. However, the majority of them wanted to know more about it (61% expressed their desire to learn about CAM and 81% said knowing it is very much important). Still, scepticism still exists among the health professionals.

In another study, the researchers examined two therapies used in surgical postoperative care – the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and osteopathic treatment. Their findings show that the TENS was ineffective. They also found the treatment to be a form of obstacle to the patients and the healthcare staff. Patients often had troubles getting in and out of bed because of the extra wires attached to their bodies.

On the other hand, the osteopathic treatment appears to be effective in relieving pain, stiffness and respiratory limitations in patients who undergone surgery in the oesophagus. However, more studies are needed to be carried out before any recommendations can be made, said Kristofer Bjerså, clinical nurse specialist who led the research.

 

Dear Readers,

What other therapies can you recommend to patients who have undergone surgical treatments?

Share your comments below.

 

 

Source of this article:

Complementary and Alternative medicine studied in Swedish surgical care