An exploration of Maltese nurses' views on herbal remedies

Abstract

The aim of this descriptive study is to explore the views of Maltese nurses on herbal remedies. Apart from the nurses' views, this study also explored personal use, knowledge, training and education, research, and whether the nurses would recommend such remedies to their patients. Quantitative data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire to a random sample of 30 nurses working in different areas of a hospital. The findings supported well the literature analysis. The awareness that such remedies exist was quite widespread but this was not reflected in personal use. The analysis of the self-administered questionnaires showed that nurses were aware that their patients might make use of such remedies but it did not occur to the nurses to ask their patients about them as nurses deem herbal remedies as safe overall. The majority of the nurses perceived their level of knowledge on herbal remedies to be fair or poor and they expressed concern about the lack of knowledge that they have on such remedies. Nurses asked for more educational sessions or workshops on herbal remedies and other alternative and complementary therapies. They also expressed their interest in the enhancement of the Maltese nurses' know ledge regarding herbal remedies, as these types of remedies can in the long run be prescribed alongside conventional medicine.