Positive Health Online

Abstract

ROBINSON, Barton House, Beaminster, Dorset DT8 3EQ, UK, doctortwrobinson.com, has studied responses to homeopathic treatment in an NHS general practice.

Background

The aims of this study were to assess homeopathic consultations in NHS general practice over a 12-month study period; to analyse the conditions treated homeopathically and assess the responses to homeopathy prescribed in a standard 10 min GP consultation.

Methodology

Data on each homeopathic consultation over 12 months were recorded, including patient details; condition/diagnosis; response score; prescribed medicine; prescribing strategy; medical specialty category. Clinical response was scored using a modified version of the Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital Outcome Scale.

Results

Over the 12-month study period, a total of 5,331 consultations were conducted within the general practice; 489 (9%) of these consultations were homeopathic. A wide variety of conditions were treated homeopathically, 78% of patients had a positive clinical response, 19% no response, 3% negative response. Analysis of the prescribing strategies demonstrated that 73% of the homeopathic prescriptions were issued using the ‘problem-based’ strategy. The remainder were ‘patient-based’ (19%), ‘context-based’ (4%) and ‘combined’ (4%) strategies.

Conclusion

This study illustrates the varied and successful application of homeopathy within the general practice setting. Response scores reveal the beneficial effects of homeopathic treatment.

References

Robinson T. Responses to homeopathic treatment in National Health Service general practice. Homeopathy: the Journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 95 (1): 9-14, Jan 2006.