Patients treated by homeopaths registered with the Society of Homeopaths: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
There is little information on the types of symptoms for which patients request homeopathic treatment from Society of Homeopaths (SoH) homeopaths in the UK.


OBJECTIVE
A preliminary study to gain information about characteristics of patients requesting treatment from SoH professional (non-medically qualified) homeopaths--including symptoms and general well-being.


RESULTS
37 homeopaths returned data on 482 patients covering 1419 consultations over a 2 year period. Patients were mostly female and predominantly aged 40-59.


CONCLUSIONS
As well as obtaining preliminary data about these patients, this study has also resulted in greater knowledge of audit and research methods in the profession. The results of this preliminary descriptive study will inform a future, larger prospective controlled observational study.
Relton
C
C
HSR, Sheffield School for Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK. c.relton@sheffield.ac.uk
Chatfield
K
K
Partington
H
H
Foulkes
L
L
D000328:Adult; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008419:Materia Medica / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008499:Medical Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012955:Societies, Medical; D006113:United Kingdom
D008419:Materia Medica