Nurses and midwives are increasingly faced with such issues as: should complementary therapies be developed and encouraged in nursing and midwifery practice? Should integration be in cooperation with private CAM therapists? What will it mean for the professional identities, territories and roles of nursing and midwifery and how will it affect the medical-nursing/midwifery power relationship? The book will explore the historical, social, political and cultural facets of integration between complementary and alternative medicine and nursing/midwifery. It will explore this ever-expanding integration in relation to: the role and conceptualization of the patient the role and responsibilities of different professional health care providers (nurses, midwives, alternative therapists, etc) the future provision and approach of nursing and midwifery practice the challenges and opportunities currently facing health care systems as a result of integration. This innovative book provides the first critical overview ofthis important field of health research. It is important reading for medical sociologists, nurses and other health professionals - as well as students in these areas - with an interest in complementary and alternative medicine.

Tags: complementary and alternative medicine nursing and midwifery