Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Nursing

Advisor

Leslie Hussey

Abstract

Hospitalized, adult, oncology patients experience intractable pain that does not always respond to pharmacological therapies. Reiki is a complementary and alternative method used to reduce pain and increase the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments, but nurses may not possess knowledge about Reiki or have the self-efficacy to educate patients about Reiki. The purpose of this study, guided by Bandura’s social cognitive theory, was to identify the relationship between nurses’ knowledge, level of self-efficacy in educating their patients, beliefs about Reiki’s effectiveness, years practicing as a nurse, and willingness to recommend Reiki for their oncology patients’ pain. The Knowledge of Nurses’ Questionnaire and the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire were administered to 86 participants who were oncology nurses. Data were analyzed using ordinal logistic regression revealing a significant relationship between nurses’ beliefs in Reiki’s effectiveness (OR = 27.174, 95% CI [2.356, 4.220]) and their willingness to recommend Reiki for their oncology patients’ pain. Future research could include investigating perspectives about Reiki from other members of the health care team, such as physicians, advanced practice providers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and nursing assistants, which would provide insights into their willingness to recommend Reiki for oncology patients’ pain. Increasing nurses’ beliefs in Reiki’s effectiveness will increase their willingness to recommend Reiki for their patients, which contributes to positive social change by increasing the usage of Reiki that may help oncology patients control pain.

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