Nurses’ Experiences Integrating Traditional Herbal Therapy in Cancer Pain Management: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Pain management for cancer patients is an important part of healthcare that combines both medical treatments and traditional methods like herbal therapy, especially in culturally diverse settings. Although integrative care is gaining attention, little is known about how nurses experience and understand the process of using traditional herbal therapy alongside conventional pain management in hospitals. Previous studies have often overlooked nurses’ personal experiences, including the ethical challenges, coping strategies, and professional meaning they find in this practice. This study uses a descriptive phenomenological method to explore how nurses manage the challenges of integrating traditional herbal therapy into cancer pain management, focusing on their real-life experiences and views. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and reflective journaling with oncology nurses, and analyzed using Colaizzi’s thematic approach. The results show that nurses face important ethical and professional challenges, develop ways to work together effectively, and find personal satisfaction in providing holistic care. These findings emphasize the complex nature of nursing and offer new insights into how cultural values and professional identity influence integrative care. By improving understanding of nurses’ experiences, this study provides useful knowledge for policy, education, and the future of culturally competent pain management.