Cottingham Phillip, Adams Jon, Vempati Ram, Dunn Jill, Sibbritt David
Wellpark College of Natural Therapies, New Zealand.
Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCCIM), University of Technology Sydney, Australia.
Homeopathy. 2017 Feb;106(1):11-17. doi: 10.1016/j.homp.2016.12.003. Epub 2017 Jan 12.
The popularity of homeopathy is seemingly at odds with the scientific controversy over its effectiveness. Several studies have reported on effectiveness of clinical homeopathy, but few studies have been conducted on practices and perceptions of homeopaths, and none in New Zealand (NZ). To address this gap, this paper reports findings from the first national survey examining the characteristics, perceptions and experiences of NZ-based homeopaths regarding a wide range of issues relating to their role and practice. There were 176 homeopaths in NZ at the time of this survey, who were members of a voluntary register (The New Zealand Council of Homeopaths), homeopaths are not statutorily registered in NZ.
A 65 question, online survey was sent to homeopathic practitioners via their professional associations. A total of 176 homeopaths were invited to participate. Of these 176, 57 (32%) responded.
The majority of homeopaths were female (93%). Twelve percent were under 45 years and 20% over 55 years. Most (85%) had qualification in homeopathy of diploma or certificate level and most (66%) were engaged in part-time practice. Mean year of experience was 12.6 and mean caseload per month was 25. 90% considered research useful to validate practice, while 88% considered that it impacted on practice, although only 48% had skills to interpret research papers. There was an association between skills to interpret research and its impact on practice (p = 0.038). The majority (87%) were in favour of registration, with a statistically significant association between attitudes to registration and age (p = 0.027), the older homeopaths being more in favour. Most (68%) were in favour of integration with conventional practitioners and many referred to conventional practitioners (mean referrals per annum to GPs = 57 and midwives = 30). Homeopaths assessed their contribution to New Zealand Ministry of Health objectives as significant, with 77% perceiving that they improved nutrition, 75% increasing physical activity and 63% reducing smoking.
These findings enable greater understanding of the way in which homeopaths practice in New Zealand and how they perceive their role in health care. The findings potentially assist communication between homeopaths and other health professionals. There is a need to further investigate homeopaths' practices and perceptions in NZ.
顺势疗法广受欢迎，但其有效性在科学界却存在争议。已有多项研究报告了临床顺势疗法的有效性，但针对顺势疗法从业者的实践和认知的研究较少，在新西兰（NZ）尚无此类研究。为填补这一空白，本文报告了首次全国性调查的结果，该调查考察了新西兰顺势疗法从业者在与其角色和实践相关的一系列问题上的特征、认知和经历。本次调查时，新西兰有176名顺势疗法从业者，他们是自愿注册机构（新西兰顺势疗法理事会）的成员，在新西兰，顺势疗法从业者并非法定注册职业。
通过专业协会向顺势疗法从业者发送了一份包含65个问题的在线调查问卷。共邀请了176名顺势疗法从业者参与。在这176人中，57人（32%）做出了回应。
大多数顺势疗法从业者为女性（93%）。12%的从业者年龄在45岁以下，20%的从业者年龄在55岁以上。大多数（85%）拥有顺势疗法文凭或证书水平的资质，大多数（66%）从事兼职工作。平均从业年限为12.6年，每月平均病例量为25例。90%的人认为研究对验证实践有用，88%的人认为研究对实践有影响，尽管只有48%的人具备解读研究论文的技能。解读研究的技能与其对实践的影响之间存在关联（p = 0.038）。大多数（87%）支持注册，对注册的态度与年龄之间存在统计学显著关联（p = 0.027），年龄较大的顺势疗法从业者更支持注册。大多数（68%）支持与传统从业者整合，许多人会转诊至传统从业者（每年平均转诊至全科医生57人次，转诊至助产士30人次）。顺势疗法从业者认为他们对新西兰卫生部目标的贡献显著，77%的人认为他们改善了营养状况，75%的人认为增加了身体活动，63%的人认为减少了吸烟。
这些发现有助于更深入地了解新西兰顺势疗法从业者的执业方式以及他们如何看待自己在医疗保健中的角色。这些发现可能有助于顺势疗法从业者与其他卫生专业人员之间的沟通。有必要进一步调查新西兰顺势疗法从业者的实践和认知情况。
