Positive Health Online

Abstract

MERRELL and SHALTS, Continuum Center for Health and Healing, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, USA, eshalts@bethisraelny.org, reviewed (50 references) the main reasons why homeopathy, especially in the USA, has not become integrated into mainstream medical practice.

Background

Historically, there has been a lack of quality published research studies or quality education programmes in homeopathy. More recently, better-designed studies have been conducted and the results published in reputable journals. However, in most cases, findings have been inconclusive and/or study methodology has still had serious short-comings.

Methodology

Results

Conclusion

While physicians continue to debate the issue of homeopathy, the public continues to increase its usage of homeopaths and homeopathic remedies. In many other countries, homeopathy and other complementary therapies have been successfully incorporated into healthcare practice. In 1995, it was reported that 69% of GPs in the USA were interested in learning more about homeopathy (Journal of the American Board of Family Practice). We need to study homeopathy in a more systematic way to enable the provision of useful information to medical practitioners . Hopefully, the growing number of complementary and alternative medicine centres affiliated with major teaching hospitals will expand the evidence base and aid the integration process .

References

Merrell WC, Shalts E. Homeopathy. The Medical Clinics of North America 86 (1): 47-62. Jan 2002.

Comment

The entire point of homeopathy is that, in the hands of qualified homeopaths, different remedies may be prescribed to people suffering from the same conditions, or the same remedy may be prescribed to people suffering from different complaints. I would have hoped that the reason for homeopathy being used in medicine was its success and efficacy in treatment, not whether there were enough homeopaths around who knew what they were doing. Surely we would not wish untrained general physicians who were ignorant of homeopathy to treat patients using this therapy!