title: Homeopathy and women's health care.
abstract: A 1997 survey revealed that 40% of Americans use some type of complementary therapy or medicine and that many use such therapies in conjunction with treatments prescribed to them by conventional medical practitioners. One alternative modality that is growing in popularity is homeopathy. Although use of this modality is growing, many health care providers know very little about it. This article provides an introduction to homeopathy, including its historical origins and theoretical principles. Also included is a review of two meta-analyses that examined the efficacy of homeopathy in clinical trials. The homeopathic approach to prolonged pregnancy is presented as an example of a potential application to women's health. Information on education and certification in homeopathy is provided, along with resources on homeopathy available to women's health care providers. Implications for nursing practice are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Women's Medical Associates of Southern New Hampshire, Nashua 03060, USA.
authors.forename: Darryle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Steinberg
authors.forename: Margaret W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Beal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000592:standards*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012106:Research; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health