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Despite the proliferation of research exploring complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in maternity care and midwifery practice, there is a gap on midwives' level of CAM knowledge and education/training. This national survey investigated Australian midwives' knowledge and education/training in CAM. A total of 571 midwives completed the survey (16%). Over half (54.3%) had some level of CAM education/training (self-learning to diploma) and with multiple CAM modalities. The top four modalities that midwives had received education/training were acupressure (66.5%), aromatherapy (60.3%), massage (45.5%), and reflexology (37.7%). There was a significant correlation between midwives attending a CAM workshop with competency-assessment (p < 0.000) and confidence to discuss CAM options with pregnant women compared with participants who have not. There are no other health-related therapies used by women consumers with such frequency where clinicians are not expected to have baseline knowledge and understanding. Midwifery education programs need to include evidence-based information on CAM modalities., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study explored older people's knowledge, experience and perception of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and acupressure, and their willingness to accept acupressure., Method: This qualitative descriptive study, using semi-structured interviews, was conducted at two residential aged care facilities. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data., Results: Fifteen older people participated. Participants had limited knowledge about CAM and acupressure. Many of them had positive views on CAM, and were willing to accept acupressure. There were five major themes: knowledge and understanding about CAM, experience of using CAM, general views on use of CAM, reasons for not using CAM, and willingness to accept acupressure., Conclusion: The findings show the diverse views on CAM and acupressure from the perspectives of the older people in this study. There is a need for further research investigating the usefulness of CAM and acupressure in aged care settings., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Complementary and Alternative Medicine/Therapies (CAM) options have increasingly been used by pregnant women, however literature describing midwives' views and beliefs towards CAM is sparse. This study aimed to investigate Australian midwives' views and beliefs about CAM., Methods: A national survey of Australian College of Midwives midwife members (n = 3552) (UTSHREC 2015000614) included questions on midwives' views and support of CAM, and beliefs using a validated CAM Health Belief Questionnaire (CHBQ)., Results: The response rate was 16%. Most respondents believed women should have the right to choose CAM (93.3%); and didn't view CAM a threat to public health (91.7%). Nearly half (49.5%) believed that their hospital/service did not have guidelines/procedures on CAM. The CHBQ mean score was 45.43 (SD9.98)., Conclusion: Most respondents agreed with the fundamental beliefs of CAM. This study confirms the need for a national CAM policy for midwives; and research on midwives' CAM training., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Unlabelled: Feasibility randomised controlled trials of complementary medicine are important to evaluate acceptability and practicality. This study examined participants' and health professionals' perceptions of CAM and participation in a feasibility RCT of acupressure for labour onset., Methods: A qualitative study incorporated within an RCT. Data were collected from postnatal women via questionnaires and health professionals via focus groups., Results: Four themes emerged from the women's views: "Using CAM to start labour", "Feeling empowered through action", "Desiring randomisation to acupressure group", and "Welcoming the opportunity to assist in research". Five themes emerged from the health professionals' views: "Personal awareness and attitudes towards CAM"; "Supporting and empowering women"; "Complements the wellness model of pregnancy and childbirth"; "Need for evidenced based practice"; and "Randomisation 'doing it on the sly'"., Conclusions: Themes from the groups were similar. The study protocol will be refined with a placebo group to improve equipoise with a powered RCT planned., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)