A validation study of homeopathic prescribing and patient care indicators.
A preliminary version of the homeopathic prescribing and patient care indicators was available. The instrument was modified further in this study with an intention to address formally its validity and reliability, audit prescriptions, identify areas of sub-optimal prescribing, and highlight target areas for improving the quality of practices. A cross-sectional study with record analysis was conducted on systematically sampled 377 patients of Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital (MBHMC and H), Howrah, West Bengal, India. The outcome measures were homeopathic prescribing indicators (6 items) and patient care indicators (5 items). Individualized homeopathic prescriptions predominated in the encounters. Areas demanding immediate attention were extremely poor labeling of drugs dispensed from the hospital pharmacy, improper record of case history and disease diagnosis, ongoing therapies, and investigational findings in the prescriptions. Internal consistency of the overall instrument was estimated to be good (Cronbach's alpha: Prescribing indicators 0.752 and patient care indicators 0.791). The prescribing indicators, except items 1 and 3, reflected acceptable item-corrected total correlations - Pearson's r from 0.58 (95% CI: 0.52-0.65) to 0.74 (95% CI: 0.69-0.78). The patient care indicators, except item 2, showed acceptable correlations - Pearson's r from 0.40 (95% CI: 0.31-0.48) to 0.82 (95% CI: 0.78-0.85). The instrument also showed high discriminant validity (prescribing indicators P < 0.0001 and patient care indicators P < 0.0001). Improper prescribing practice was quite rampant and corrective measures are warranted. The developed indicators appeared to be validated and reliable; however, they are amendable for further development.
Clinical Research Unit (Homeopathy), Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Government of India, Gokhel Road, Arabindapally, Siliguri, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India.
Munmun
M
Koley
Clinical Research Unit (Homeopathy), Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Government of India, Gokhel Road, Arabindapally, Siliguri, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India.
Subhranil
S
Saha
Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Government of West Bengal, West Bengal, India.
Shubhamoy
S
Ghosh
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Government of West Bengal, West Bengal, India.
Goutam
G
Nag
Private Practice, Council of Homeopathic Medicine, West Bengal, India.
Monojit
M
Kundu
Internee, Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Government of West Bengal, West Bengal, India.
Ramkumar
R
Mondal
Internee, Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Government of West Bengal, West Bengal, India.
Rajib
R
Purkait
Final Year Student, Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Government of West Bengal, West Bengal, India.
Supratim
S
Patra
Homeopathy; Patient care indicators; Prescribing indicators; Reliability; Validity