Homeopathy Research
This information has been taken from the Society of Homeopaths web site. Their link can be found on this web site to download even more. What research is happening at the moment? National Service Evaluation (NSE)is a SoH funded pilot project, which is collecting data on 1,000s of consultations with SoH homeopaths. We have homeopaths throughout the UK collecting data from100s of their patients and sending it into the project. The aims of the project are:
- To give us basic data on the types of conditions and symptoms for which patients are currently seeking homeopathic treatment.
- To give us information about the amount of help that patients receive from homeopathic treatment
The first evaluation will be published in January 2006. The results of this evaluation will help us identify future avenues for research
The Department of Health is currently funding several training fellowships in the area of homeopathy research:
- Clare Relton at University of Sheffield is doing research on homeopathy and the menopause. She has completed an audit of clinical outcomes (using MYMOP), a systematic review of homeopathic treatment of menopause, and is designing a pilot study of homeopathic treatment for menopausal symptoms. E-mail c.relton@sheffield.ac.uk
- Dr Elaine Weatherley Jones at University of Sheffield is researching ‘the meaning of the homeopathic consultation’, as well as doing more work preparatory to a second larger study of homeopathic treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. For further information and a list of her publications, please contact Elaine at e.weatherley-jones@sheffield.ac.uk
- Dr Michael Emmans Deans at York University is working on establishing a database of homeopathic research, running a Delphi project to develop agreed standards of homeopathic trial reporting and he is also designing a study of homeopathic treatment for ADHD.
- Dr Sarah O’Brien is running a feasibility study of homeopathic treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis. One of the questions this five arm randomised controlled trial is asking is how much of the effect of the homeopathic is derived from the consultation. She is working with Caroline Eyles.
- Caroline Eyles started her PhD at The University of Southampton as a research fellow in November 2004. This research is an exploratory study looking at homeopathic practitioners' perceptions and experiences of the homeopathic consultation and will identify within the context of the homeopathic consultation those factors that practitioners perceive to be important in promoting therapeutically effective consultations. For further information please contact Caroline at C.G.Eyles@soton.ac.uk or visit her website at www.som.soton.ac.uk/staff/cge/
The following members of the Society of Homeopaths are also currently engaged in research:
- Lesley Foulkes at the University of Central Lancashire, the first phase of Lesley’s research is concerned with establishing a conceptual model of change during homeopathic treatment and from this identifying a range of outcome domains. The second phase of this project will use these outcome domains as a base for the development of evaluation specific and sensitive to homeopathic treatment. For further information please contact Lesley at lesleyfoulkes@aol.com
- Fiona Madon completed her MSc in Complementary Therapy Studies at the University of Westminster in July 2005. Her research focuses on the experience of 18 non-medically qualified homeopaths in setting up and sustaining a practice and places this within the context of business development. The findings suggest that both internal and external factors impact on practice growth throughout the business life cycle. She may be contacted at: fiona@fmadon.com
- Lionel R Milgrom Classical physics asserts that all that is physical is observable. Quantum physics on the other hand teaches us that NOT all that is physical is observable. In this respect, there is a similarity in discourse between homeopathy and quantum physics. Consequently, his research aim is to develop and eventually test theoretical models of the therapeutic that attempt to bring about harmonisation of homeopathy's anecdotal and developing empirical evidence base with quantum mechanics. A bibliography of published papers is available from lionel_milgrom@homeopathy-soh.org
- Julie Smith Co-Course Leader in Homeopathy, University of Westminster ‘A critical reflexive inquiry – a transformational process as a practitioner researcher.’ This doctoral study draws on Julie’s own experiences as a professional homeopath to generate and articulate practice-based knowledge. This is an exploration of practice as complex, contradictory and uncertain. This model of critical reflexive inquiry has the potential to be adapted by other practitioners wishing to take a transformational view of their practice. For further information, please contact: J.Smith08@westminster.ac.uk
The Society's Research Committee Plans for 2006
In 2005 we undertook several initiatives to help new research happen:
- Building research awareness within the membership of the Society of Homeopaths. We recently ran several workshops for homeopathy college teachers on research methods. In 2006 we will be running a Homeopathy Research one-day course for SoH members.
- We have a lively research folder with plenty of news and discussion on FCM, the Society of Homeopaths intranet system
- We also offer detailed advice on individual Society of Homeopaths members' projects and in developing their research ideas and potential research collaborations.
- We do not provide research grants, but we do work closely with the charity Homeopathy Action Trust (HAT) who do fund research into homeopathy.
- We have set up a research ethics committee, to assess the ethical implications of research projects.
We plan to continue and build on these initiatives in 2006.
- National Service Evaluation (NSE) (see 2 above)
- Members of the research committee have liaised with the communications department to ensure that the Society produces rapid and informed responses when research reports appear in the media.
As well as the NSE, members of the Society of Homeopaths are currently involved in many homeopathy research projects, including the following:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Menopause & hot flushes
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Drug withdrawal
- Attention deficit disorder
- The therapeutic effects of the consultation
- Homeopathy Childbirth kits
- A physics/quantum physics description of homeopathy
- Drop in clinics
- Provings of new remedies