Opportunities and challenges of complementary therapies in maternal and child health

Abstract

Maternal and child health remains a paramount global concern that driven by persistently high mortality rates across many regions. Though conventional protocols are standard in clinical practice, their limitations have underscored the growing necessity for complementary interventions. Currently, complementary therapies serve an important role in supporting the promotive, preventive, and curative dimensions of maternal care. Yet, the literature regarding the specific opportunities and challenges of such integration remains sparse or largely unexplored. Therefore, the article presents a comprehensive examination of both the opportunities and challenges in the field to act as a hands-on guide for maternity nurses in the provision of complementary care. The integration of complementary therapies deals with numerous multiple challenges. Primary among these is a lack of strong evidence, compounded by inadequate standard clinical protocols and regulatory frameworks. Furthermore, implementation is often hindered by suboptimal public awareness, technical complexities, financial issues, and a shortage of specialized healthcare professionals. Conversely, these challenges can be addressed by using some key opportunities. For instance, prioritizing a holistic healthcare model, integrating psychosocial support, engaging community-based resources, and evaluating patient satisfaction. Evidence suggests that complementary therapies has great potential in supporting standard care in maternal and child health. However, further standardized regulation, robust clinical studies, and intensive professional training for nurses are needed to optimize its implementation in daily practice, both in hospitals and communities.

Keywords: Child health, complementary therapies, holistic care, maternity nursing, nursing care