Management of Natural Health Products in Pediatrics
Introduction The use of natural health products by pediatric patients is common, yet health care providers often do not provide management guidance. The purpose of this project was to improve management of natural health products by pediatric nurse practitioners.
Method Pediatric nurse practitioners from large metropolitan city were recruited (n = 32). A paired pretest-posttest design was used. Study participants were engaged to improve knowledge of natural health products, and a management toolkit was created and tested.
Results Mean knowledge scores increased from 59.19 to 76.3 (p < .01). Management practices improved with regard to patient guidance (p < .01) and resource utilization (p < .01). Assessments of product use (p = .51) and drug/herb interactions (p = .35) were not significant.
Discussion This investigation is the first known study to improve knowledge and management of natural health products in pediatric clinical practice.
Approximately one third of pediatric patients use natural health products (NHPs) to treat or maintain their health, yet health care providers (HCPs) often omit management guidance related to NHPs (Bailey, Gahche, Thomas, & Dwyer, 2013). Through their lack of guidance to patients and their families who use these medicinal therapies, HCPs could be perpetuating the false ideal that if a product is "natural," it is therefore innocuous and "safe." HCPs should routinely inquire about all therapies used for health purposes and have an evidence-based approach to provide comprehensive patient management.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Introduction The use of natural health products by pediatric patients is common, yet health care providers often do not provide management guidance. The purpose of this project was to improve management of natural health products by pediatric nurse practitioners.
Method Pediatric nurse practitioners from large metropolitan city were recruited (n = 32). A paired pretest-posttest design was used. Study participants were engaged to improve knowledge of natural health products, and a management toolkit was created and tested.
Results Mean knowledge scores increased from 59.19 to 76.3 (p < .01). Management practices improved with regard to patient guidance (p < .01) and resource utilization (p < .01). Assessments of product use (p = .51) and drug/herb interactions (p = .35) were not significant.
Discussion This investigation is the first known study to improve knowledge and management of natural health products in pediatric clinical practice.
Introduction
Approximately one third of pediatric patients use natural health products (NHPs) to treat or maintain their health, yet health care providers (HCPs) often omit management guidance related to NHPs (Bailey, Gahche, Thomas, & Dwyer, 2013). Through their lack of guidance to patients and their families who use these medicinal therapies, HCPs could be perpetuating the false ideal that if a product is "natural," it is therefore innocuous and "safe." HCPs should routinely inquire about all therapies used for health purposes and have an evidence-based approach to provide comprehensive patient management.
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