Homeopathic remedies as metaphors in family therapy. A narrative-based approach to homeopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine a metaphorical, narrative model to explain the outcome of an homeopathic, encounter involving the patient, practitioner and the homeopathic medicine.


METHODS
The transcript of a videotaped doctor-patient interaction from a European doctor-patient communication study (EUROCOM) was analysed using qualitative methods.


RESULTS
Analysis demonstrates a narrative relationship between the protagonists in the therapeutic interaction, with the homeopathic medicine performing a metaphorical role.


CONCLUSIONS
The results justify further investigation of the narrative and metaphorical properties of the therapeutic encounter in homeopathy.
Department of General Practice, Medical School of Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, Hannover, Germany. kleinwaechter.edv@t-online.de
M
M
Konitzer
A
A
Renée
T
T
Doering
D002983:Clinical Competence; D005060:Europe; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008419:Materia Medica / Q000592:standards*; D019365:Metaphor; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D014743:Videotape Recording
D008419:Materia Medica