Healthcare Professionals' Attitudes to Integration of Acupuncture in Western Medicine: A Mixed-Method Systematic Review

Background: Acupuncture is practiced in many Western countries with increasing evidence supporting its use across the healthcare system. However, this nonpharmacological intervention is yet to be widely integrated into hospitals. Fundamental to the integration of any innovation into healthcare systems is the attitudes of healthcare professionals. Aims: To explore healthcare professionals' attitudes towards acupuncture and identify the enablers and barriers to integration in the hospital setting. Design: This review was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines; we conducted a mixed-method systematic review following Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewer's Manual 2017. Data Sources: PubMed, CINAHL, AMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS were searched from their inception to December 2019 using different combination of keywords. Methods: Attitude and perception data were extracted from the articles and constructs were categorized as barriers and enablers. A convergent integrated approach was adopted whereby qualitative data themes were integrated with quantitative data constructs to generate descriptive codes around enablers and barriers at intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental levels according to the framework proposed by Manias et al. (2014). Results: Twenty-six studies comprising 19 survey and seven interview studies were identified, with 24 articles (92%) reporting positive attitudes, supporting the integration of acupuncture into Western medicine. Enablers identified were prior positive experience, belief in the treatment's efficacy, and patient demand. Barriers were lack of evidentiary knowledge or experience; lack of resources such as time, providers, and funding; and paradigm differences. Twenty studies (77%) focused on medical doctors or medical student perceptions. A conceptual framework for implementing and integrating acupuncture into Western medicine is proposed. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals' attitudes to acupuncture are positive. Barriers to integrating acupuncture into the hospital system exist at intrapersonal, interpersonal, and external levels, with lack of resources being the key barrier. Nurses' role in facilitating integration into Western medical pain management practice provides an avenue for future research. The proposed conceptual framework provides guidance for nursing researchers interested in the role of acupuncture and integrated medicine in patient-centric, value-based healthcare. (c) 2021 American Society for Pain Management Nursing. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Healthcare professionals generally have positive attitudes towards acupuncture and support its integration into Western medicine. Enablers include positive experience, belief in efficacy, and patient demand, while barriers consist of lack of evidence and resources, as well as paradigm differences. Future research could focus on the role of nurses in facilitating the integration of acupuncture into Western medical pain management practice.