Research in Homeopathy, Clinical outcome surveys

Clinical research in homeopathy. Levels of research evidence

Clinical outcome surveys

Clinical outcome surveys

Evidence-based practice depends upon good and relevant research, but it will also benefit from effective clinical outcome evaluation. Such issues are explored further in a review of clinical outcome studies published by the Faculty of Homeopathy.⁴⁶ Similar comments are applicable in other areas of healthcare, such as dentistry and veterinary medicine.

Homeopathy's clinical potential may be much wider than current RCT evidence alone would indicate. There might be many more medical conditions - not listed at present in any of our categories of evidence that can become included in a future list of those confirmed by research to be effectively treated by homeopathy. While the RCT may be considered the 'gold standard' of clinical research, outcome studies are a useful way to assess the effectiveness of homeopathy in a 'real world' clinical setting, and their findings should be included in evidence-based decisions on which conditions are most likely to respond positively to homeopathic treatment.

We summarise here the results from outcome surveys conducted at two of the UK's Homeopathic Hospitals:

Bristol Homeopathic Hospital, 1997-2003
One of the most comprehensive outcome surveys is an analysis of over 23,000 outpatient consultations at the Bristol Homeopathic Hospital from November 1997 to October 2003. This represented over 6,500 individual patients whose overall outcome was recorded at follow-up. More than 70% of these follow-up patients reported clinical improvement following homeopathic treatment.⁴⁵ Many of the patients in the analysis had previously received mainstream medical intervention at the secondary care level and had either failed to respond satisfactorily or had been unable to tolerate the medication prescribed. Table 3 summarises some of the key findings. Homeopathy therefore achieves positive clinical outcomes in certain conditions that have not yet been proven in RCTs (e.g. Crohn's disease, depression, eczema, headache, menopausal syndrome).

Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital, 1999
This study followed up 100 sequential patients after 1 year, with 80% returns.⁴⁷ At presentation, 81% of patients had failed to respond to conventional treatment; 47% had seen a Consultant for the problem. After 1 year, 60% of patients improved in the presenting complaint, 61% improved in well-being, 49% had a sustained improvement of value in daily living, and 37% had a sustained reduction in conventional therapy.

		Clinical research in homeopathy. Levels of research evidence
		Comprehensive meta-analyses of clinical trials in homeopathy Clinical research in homeopathy with positive findings Selected randomised clinical trials of homeopathy Comments on homeopathy research Clinical outcome surveys Clinical outcome surveys Evidence-based practice depends upon good and relevant research, but it will also benefit from effective clinical outcome evaluation. Such issues are explored further in a review of clinical outcome studies published by the Faculty of Homeopathy.⁴⁶ Similar comments are applicable in other areas of healthcare, such as dentistry and veterinary medicine. Homeopathy's clinical potential may be much wider than current RCT evidence alone would indicate. There might be many more medical conditions - not listed at present in any of our categories of evidence that can become included in a future list of those confirmed by research to be effectively treated by homeopathy. While the RCT may be considered the 'gold standard' of clinical research, outcome studies are a useful way to assess the effectiveness of homeopathy in a 'real world' clinical setting, and their findings should be included in evidence-based decisions on which conditions are most likely to respond positively to homeopathic treatment. We summarise here the results from outcome surveys conducted at two of the UK's Homeopathic Hospitals: Bristol Homeopathic Hospital, 1997-2003 One of the most comprehensive outcome surveys is an analysis of over 23,000 outpatient consultations at the Bristol Homeopathic Hospital from November 1997 to October 2003. This represented over 6,500 individual patients whose overall outcome was recorded at follow-up. More than 70% of these follow-up patients reported clinical improvement following homeopathic treatment.⁴⁵ Many of the patients in the analysis had previously received mainstream medical intervention at the secondary care level and had either failed to respond satisfactorily or had been unable to tolerate the medication prescribed. Table 3 summarises some of the key findings. Homeopathy therefore achieves positive clinical outcomes in certain conditions that have not yet been proven in RCTs (e.g. Crohn's disease, depression, eczema, headache, menopausal syndrome). Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital, 1999 This study followed up 100 sequential patients after 1 year, with 80% returns.⁴⁷ At presentation, 81% of patients had failed to respond to conventional treatment; 47% had seen a Consultant for the problem. After 1 year, 60% of patients improved in the presenting complaint, 61% improved in well-being, 49% had a sustained improvement of value in daily living, and 37% had a sustained reduction in conventional therapy.		Table of contents Homeopathy: the great debate Clinical research in homeopathy Veterinary homeopathy Issues and controversies Mechanism of action Is homeopathy safe? Is homeopathy cost effective? BHA/Faculty’s research strategy References Research discussion forum C O N T A C T U S S I T E M A P H O M E
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