COMPLEMENTARY ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES AMOKNOWLEDGE,ATTITUDES, PRACTICE OF NURSING AND MEDICAL SCIENCES STUDENTS

This comparative study aims to identify and compare nursing and medical student's knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). There were 74 students (33 nursing students and 41 medical students) randomly selected to participate in this study and a self-administered questionnaire was given and collected at the same time. Independent t-test was used and p-value < 0.05 was accepted statistically significant. The finding from this study revealed that overall, nursing students were more knowledgeable about CAMs, possessed positive attitudes, and more willing to practice CAMs in clinical area compared to medical students. Null hypothesis was rejected at 5% significant level. It is suggested that the inclusion of CAM in nursing curriculum will prepare nursing student as a good future nurses who is knowledgeable to respond patient's questions related to CAM therapies.