a. Select one current high-quality research article that informs pediatric integrative healthcare. The research should be specific to one pediatric healthcare problem/issue.
b. Post a discussion that supports the use of this IH practice in pediatrics.
Use of essential oils in treating any symptoms due to a disease condition is known as aromatherapy. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy defines aromatherapy as the art and science of using naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize, and promote the health of body, mind, and soul (National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, 2016). Aromatherapy can be used as first line or an adjuvant therapy. Aromatherapy has been used to treat common symptoms such as nausea, anxiety, sleeplessness in different patient population (Conlon et al., 2017).
An evidence-based project was conducted at Midwestern medical center in pediatric unit. After an educational session was conducted by a national expert on aromatherapy the nursing staff of the unit started using 3 essential oils mandarin, spearmint and lavender for the pediatric patients. These oils were thought to be safe and helped with common symptoms like nausea, pain, anxiety and fatigue. Patients and family were instructed to open the seal of the bag and hold it approximately 1 inch from the nose without touching the cotton ball or the essential oil. The effectiveness of therapy was assessed within minutes and repetition was allowed as many times the patient preferred to do so. If they were sensitive, the bag was removed from their room. The nurse assessed the initial effect and the follow up effect. This pilot study was received as positive measure by most of the clients (Conlon et al., 2017).
The availability of essential oils may indeed enhance the patient experience by having as another selection to address common patient symptoms. Though the guidelines may vary between organization, but the integrative and holistic principles offer a strong framework to endure and explore a wide range of therapeutic modalities such as clinical aromatherapy (Conlon et al., 2017).
Reference
Conlon, P. M., Haack, K. M., Rodgers, N. J., Dion, L. J., Cambern, K. L., Rohlik, G. M., ... & Cutshall, S. M. (2017). Introducing Essential Oils into Pediatric and Other Practices at an Academic Medical Center. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 35(4), 389-396.