ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to evaluate the understanding and use of aromatherapy for palliative care patients by nurses in the primary care setting, and to discuss the implications that this may have in planning future education initiatives for nurses. Aromatherapy courses may encourage continuing education via aromatherapy interest groups. These can be run at dates and times that are suitable for specific communities of nurses –the group identifies its own needs and learning objectives. The chairperson can provide outside speakers or education as appropriate. The holistic approach of aromatherapy emphasising the interrelatedness of the mind, body and spirit plus the idea of giving people control over their own health would seem to complement many nursing theories. Community nurses with limited knowledge of this topic may be unaware of their own limitations regarding the appropriateness of its use, potential side-effects, or interactions with conventional cancer and palliative care treatments.
