Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Conditions: Findings from a Homeopathy Teaching Clinic using the MYCaW Instrument.

BACKGROUND: The Academy of Homeopathy Education is a US-based accredited teaching institution offering homeopathy education services to professional and medically licensed homeopathy students. This study reports on clinical outcomes from the teaching clinic from 2020 to 2021. METHODS: Data collected using the patient-generated outcome measure, the Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing (MYCaW), were anonymized. Mean MYCaW values for initial and subsequent consultations were analyzed for the degree of change across the intervention period in 38 clients. Each client listed up to two complaints. MYCaW scores between initial and subsequent consultations were analyzed for the degree of change (delta) across the intervention period. RESULTS: A total of 95 body system-related symptoms were analyzed for change in intensity following the homeopathic intervention. Statistically significant improvements in the intensity of main symptoms were observed between initial and subsequent follow-ups. The main symptom scores showed a mean change in intensity (delta MYCaW) of -0.79 points (95% confidence interval (CI), -1.29 to -0.29; p = 0.003) at first follow-up, a mean change of -1.67 points (95% CI, -2.34 to -0.99; p = 0.001) at second follow-up compared with the initial visit, and a mean change of -1.93 points (95% CI, -3.0 to -0.86; p = 0.008) at third follow-up compared with the initial visit. For clients with four or more follow-ups, the mean delta MYCaW was -1.57 points (95% CI, -2.86 to -0.28; p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: Statistically significant improvements as well as some clinically meaningful changes in symptom intensity were found across a diverse group of individuals with a variety of long-term chronic conditions. The improvement was evident across different body systems and different levels of chronicity. There are limitations to the generalizability of the study due to the research design. Further research and investigation are warranted given the promising results of this work.

Strange, Rare and Peculiar Symptoms of COVID-19 Cases Managed by Practitioners of the Homeopathy Help Network.

BACKGROUND: More than 670 million people have been infected by COVID-19. This case series reports 8 of 55 cases in a broader study of COVID-positive clients who sought homeopathic care for symptoms. Existing studies of homeopathy and COVID-19 have sometimes failed to employ the underpinning theoretical framework of homeopathy-the genus epidemicus. Special focus has been placed on standout symptoms not often reported in conventional medical outlets, known among homeopaths as "strange, rare and peculiar" (SRP) symptoms. The Homeopathy Help Network (HHN) team of practitioners noted SRP symptoms across dozens of cases and studied how they shifted collectively as different variants of the virus emerged. METHODS: COVID-positive individuals self-selected for individualized care for their symptoms using homeopathy. They received tele-health consultations and individualized homeopathy interventions in an out-patient homeopathy clinical setting. Clients were seen by individual professional homeopathy practitioners and students under supervision working at the HHN in the United States. Cases for the series were hand-picked with the aim of being an average representation of the more than 4,000 COVID-positive cases seen by members of the HHN. Cases in the full compendium are grouped according to a predominant case feature: Multiple remedies, Posology, Time ill, Single remedy resolution, Hospitalization and, in this case series, SRP symptoms. RESULTS: SRP symptoms included: continually on the verge of unconsciousness; dark green stools; very low pulse alternating with tachycardia; sensation of strong or burning chemical smells; sensation of inhaling water through the nose; recurring electric shock sensations in head or extremities; yellow-green stools. CONCLUSION: Collective SRP symptoms from the pandemic provided the opportunity to study the hallmark features of COVID-19 in depth. The importance of these symptoms highlights the applicability of Hahnemannian principles and good case-taking practices.

Attitudes To and Uptake of Repertory Software in Homeopathy Clinical Practice-Results of an International Survey.

BACKGROUND: Despite the substantial size of the maturing complementary medicine (CM) industry, the technologies used by practitioners have received little research attention. In the clinical delivery of homeopathy services, repertory software can be employed to cross-reference client symptoms with numerous databases, making the process of seeking a clinical intervention quicker and more accurate. The purpose of the study is to learn about the quantitative patterns of usage, uptake and attitudes to repertory software amongst professional homeopaths. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey of 15 questions was completed by practicing professional homeopaths between August 2016 and May 2017, using non-probability snowball sampling. Questions gathered demographic information, reflections and attitudes on the use of electronic repertories in clinical homeopathy practice. RESULTS: In total, 59% of respondents reported using software regularly in practice and 71% found that it adds clear value in their work. Sixty-eight percent of respondents learned about repertory software during homeopathy training, and 47% were introduced to software when they began clinical practice. Lack of sufficient training is a very important barrier to the use of repertory software, indicating that more robust and accessible software training is needed for practitioners. Many respondents agreed with a statement that repertory software represents good value for money and yet 46% agreed that it is cost prohibitive for most practitioners, signaling a challenge for software companies. Few respondents reported regularly using more than three of the most common repertory features. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study presents some potentially significant uptake, usage and attitude markers that stand to shed light on the practice of homeopathy and the place of emerging technologies such as repertory software. Ultimately, more research is needed to help identify and address the challenges, risks and tensions around integration of practice-enhancing technologies in CM educational and clinical settings to best serve the diverse and changing needs of practitioners.